'UK Cabinet's Top Two' Johnson UK Prime Minister and Sunak Chancellor... Both in 'Self-Quarantine'

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (right) and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who pushed for the 'complete lifting' of COVID-19 restrictions, and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, the second most powerful member of the cabinet, have entered self-isolation. It is presumed to be due to Health Secretary Sajid Javid recently testing positive for COVID-19.

On the 18th (local time), the UK Prime Minister's Office announced that they were informed by the National Health Service (NHS) that Prime Minister Johnson and Chancellor Sunak had been in contact with a confirmed case.

The identity of the confirmed case they contacted has not been disclosed. However, many believe it is due to Health Secretary Javid, who announced a positive result from a rapid test the day before.

If the NHS classifies someone as a contact of a confirmed case, they must self-isolate for ten days. However, Prime Minister Johnson and Chancellor Sunak will continue working from their offices. This is because they are participants in the 'daily contact testing pilot program' conducted by the NHS and Public Health England (PHE).

This pilot program allows asymptomatic contacts to test themselves every morning for a week using self-test kits. If the test is negative, they are exempt from isolation and permitted to leave home for essential activities.

Criticism has arisen that Prime Minister Johnson and Chancellor Sunak are receiving special treatment. Angela Rayner, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, said, "(Johnson and others) did not follow the rules they created and demanded their constituents follow," adding, "The current government thinks they are above the law and has shown contempt for the public."

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, remarked, "It seems there are different rules for them," and questioned, "Whether healthcare workers, public transport workers, and teachers were allowed to participate in the pilot program, or if it was only for a privileged few."

Despite the resurgence of COVID-19 driven by the Delta (India-origin) variant, the UK government has decided to fully lift restrictions on the 19th. The indoor mask mandate and limits on private gatherings will be removed, and except for some places like hospitals and airports, the 1-meter social distancing rule will also be abolished.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Johnson was infected with COVID-19 and recovered in April last year, during the early stages of the pandemic.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.