Mon Apr 13, 2020 12:51 pm
Boris Johnson now tests negative for virus
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tested negative for coronavirus before being discharged from hospital yesterday, a government spokesman has said.
He said Johnson was continuing his recovery at Chequers, his official country residence. Asked why he was there rather than his primary residence of No 10, the spokesman said it was “considered to be a suitable place”.
The prime minister had spoken to Dominic Raab, who is deputising for him, over the weekend. “The PM is focusing on his recovery and not currently carrying out government work,” the spokesman added.
Separately, the government has denied that Cabinet minister Michael Gove’s daughter being tested for coronavirus was an example of “double standards,” after controversy about a lack of testing for frontline staff.
The spokesman said the test was carried out “on the advice of the chief medical officer and in line with medical guidance”.
“The test ensured Michael Gove could get back to work to help drive the government’s response at a critical time,” the spokesman said.