Boris Johnson’s top aide Dominic Cummings FINALLY returns to work at Downing Street after two weeks away with coronavirus symptoms (and brings a very unusual packed lunch with him)
- Prime Minister’s chief of staff went into symptomatic self-isolation on March 30
- It came three days after the PM tested positive and also quarantined himself
- Cummings should have been free to return after a week but was away a fortnight
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
Mr Cummings, 48, finally returned to Downing Street this morning
Boris Johnson’s top aide Dominic Cummings returned to Downing Street after a mysterious two-week absence.
The Prime Minister’s chief of staff was confirmed by No 10 as self-isolating with coronavirus-type symptoms on March 30, three days after Mr Johnson himself went into self-isolation.
But advice for those with symptoms is to isolate for seven days, with a 14-isolation for those around them.
Downing Street has insisted he has been working from home in the intervening period, but would not elaborate on his condition.
His prolonged period out of the public eye sparked concerns over the health of key No 10 officials after the Prime Minister and Health Secretary Matt Hancock caught the virus at the same time.
Mr Cummings, 48, finally returned to Downing Street this morning with a very healthy-looking lunch in a clear plastic bag, containing what appeared to be an unpeeled carrot, a clementine and a processed soft cheese, plus a soup carton.
His prolonged period out of the public eye sparked concerns over the health of key No 10 officials after the Prime Minister and Health Secretary Matt Hancock caught the virus at the same time
He brought a very healthy-looking lunch in a clear plastic bag, containing what appeared to be an unpeeled carrot, a clementine and a processed soft cheese, plus a soup carton.
Downing Street has repeatedly confirmed he has not been in the office but said he was ‘in contact with No 10’, without going into specifics
The PM’s other top adviser, Sir Eddie Lister, 70, has not been seen in public since the start of lockdown with his age putting him in an at-risk group. A number of other aides have also been off with symptoms.
The health of Mr Cummings has been regularly questioned by reporters during regular press briefings.
Downing Street has repeatedly confirmed he has not been in the office but said he was ‘in contact with No 10’, without going into specifics.
The Vote Leave maverick was seen running out of Downing Street with a backpack on the day of Mr Johnson’s positive coronavirus test before subsequently returning to Number 10 in the afternoon.
That was the last time he was seen before it emerged on the following Monday that he had entered self-isolation.