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A number of Conservative MPs are isolating themselves after attending a meeting of No. 10 without masks and some standing less than six feet from the prime minister.
At least four other backbenchers were ordered to stay home after a fifth MP at last week’s 35-minute meeting, Lee Anderson, tested positive for coronavirus.
The prime minister also has to isolate himself in the Downing Street flat, just as he expected to resume his post as prime minister.
The prime minister, who nearly died of Covid in April, insisted today that it was “full of antibodies” and that it “fit like a butcher dog.”
But the incident has raised questions about Downing Street’s claim to be a ‘Covid safe’ workplace at the heart of the confinement.
Mr Anderson, MP from Ashfield, attended the breakfast meeting Thursday with a “small group” of Conservative MPs and the prime minister.
Then he got sick, took a test Saturday, and received the results “within 24 hours,” Matt Hancock said.
Photos of several of the MPs involved show that none of those involved wore a mask.
And at least some of the photos, including one of Mr Anderson, show MPs clearly less than two meters from the prime minister.
In other photos it is not clear if the deputies and the prime minister are less than two meters apart.
There is no indication that the meeting broke the law and masks are not required in all offices.
However, the official government guide also says: “When you cannot stay 2 meters away, you must stay more than 1 meter away and take extra measures to stay safe.”
These steps may include covering your face or keeping rooms well ventilated.
It is unclear if the room was ventilated, but photos show that the windows behind the PM were closed.
No10 insists that social distancing rules were followed.
It is also unclear whether MPs would have been told to self-isolate, even if they had worn masks and kept a distance of two meters at all times. The test and trace rules depend to some degree on each individual situation.
New Tory MPs Andy Carter, Brendan Clarke-Smith, Katherine Fletcher and Lia Nicci confirmed they were home quarantined after attending the meeting with Lee Anderson.
(Image: Facebook)
Ms. Nici told voters: “I was contacted by NHS Test and Trace after a working meeting last week with Rep. Lee Anderson and the Prime Minister. As a result, I will isolate myself according to the rules. I currently have no symptoms and will work from home.
Mr. Carter said: “I received a test and trace call yesterday after a business meeting at 10 Downing Street last Thursday. According to the rules, I isolate myself. “
(Image: Facebook)
Mr. Clarke-Smith added: “In the words of Patrick Swayze …” Ditto. ” I still work normally, albeit from home, but this shows not only that the NHS Test & Trace system works very well, but also that it applies to everyone.
“Although both the prime minister and I had the virus in March, we will follow the rules to contain the virus and prevent its possible spread to others.”
(Image: Facebook)
Defending the prime minister, Health Secretary Matt Hancock insisted that “the same rules apply to all of us” and “they are socially estranged.”
He stated that wearing masks was not necessary because “there are safe Covid guidelines in any workplace.”
When asked if he wears a mask at No. 10, he told Sky News: “Not always, no, because Covid’s secure guidelines for that building don’t require it at all times.”
Sky host Kay Burley said that thanks to the lapses, the prime minister had been “incapacitated in what could be one of the biggest weeks for Brexit.”
But Hancock, who will be at the 10th press conference today at 5 pm, said the prime minister “will certainly push things this week with Zoom.”
He told Sky, “When you are in close contact with someone, you need to isolate yourself if they test positive.”
“There are safe guidelines from Covid on how to operate at work. And this is true in Downing Street or in any other work environment. “
Boris Johnson has had to redraw plans to relaunch his post as prime minister this week, as he is hidden in the Downing Street flat until Thursday next week.
The prime minister was planning to make critical announcements on electric cars, coronavirus restrictions and next week’s spending review after a disastrous week of infighting that fired his two top aides, Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain.
This week is also crucial for Brexit talks, as the EU suggests a trade deal must be agreed in mid-November or no deal at all.
Downing Street officials insisted today that the planned announcements would still be made, either through Johnson remotely or through other ministers.
In a video message from the 10th floor, Johnson said: “It doesn’t matter that we are all socially distancing, it doesn’t matter that I’m fit as a butcher dog, I feel great, a lot of people do it in my circumstances.
“And in fact, it doesn’t matter that I’ve had the disease and I’m full of antibodies.
“We have to stop the spread of the disease and one of the ways we can do that now is by isolating ourselves for 14 days when Test and Trace contacts us.”
(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
But despite the Prime Minister’s claim of “antibodies,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned: “People can get it twice.”
He added: “We don’t yet have the rigorous evidence we need on how likely people are to get it twice, although we are working very hard on that.
“The Prime Minister follows the exact same rules as anyone else in the country.”
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