‘Freedom day’ in UK overshadowed by Johnson’s isolation U-turn

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Finance Minister Rishi Sunak will be self-isolating on England’s so-called Freedom Day on Monday, highlighting the spike in Covid-19 cases just as the UK throws off its last pandemic restrictions.

Johnson and Sunak were forced into the humiliating U-turn on Sunday after they faced a backlash over plans to avoid quarantine by participating in a pilot testing scheme.

The U-turn comes a day after Health Minister Sajid Javid said he had tested positive for the coronavirus and at a time when the government's coronavirus response is under harsh criticism.

Nearly all remaining restrictions in England will be lifted on Monday despite a surge in infections as ministers put their faith in the advanced vaccine program.

As the number of Covid patients is increasing by over 50,000 a day, hundreds of thousands of British people are being asked to self isolate for 10 days.

The situation has caused havoc for employers and parents, prompting train cancelations and forcing some businesses to shut down.

The government had announced that Johnson and Sunak had been exposed to a person infected with the Covid and would take part in a trial scheme that allowed them to keep working instead of self-isolating.

However, that decision had been quickly reversed following harsh criticism from voters, political opponents and business owners.

"We did look briefly at the idea of us taking part in the pilot scheme... but I think it's far more important that everybody sticks to the same rules," Johnson said in a video message from his country residence, where he will isolate until July 26.

He used his video message to urge the public to take a cautious approach to the change of rules.

"Please, please, please, be cautious," he said.

ME