Dominic Cummings has been accused of failing to follow rules on social distancing after returning to work after suffering coronavirus symptoms.
Boris Johnson ’s top advisor was snapped on Downing Street arriving for work this morning, 19 days after he was last seen running away from Number 10.
Downing Street confirmed on March 30 that he had coronavirus-like symptoms and was self-isolating.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said he was in contact with Number 10, but did not confirm he was working from home during his absence.
This morning, he was photographed arriving at work clutching a packed lunch in a clear plastic bag, which appeared to include a large carrot, a carton of soup, a satsuma and a Mini Babybel cheese.
But arriving on Downing Street, he was visibly walking alongside an aide - not keeping to the 2 metre distance recommended by Public Health England.
Asked repeatedly about whether and why the senior advisor appeared to be flouting the government’s own rules, Boris Johnson’s spokesman failed to answer.
The spokesman said the guidelines were clear: “People will only return to work when they are no longer symptomatic and after following all of the relevant PHE guidelines.
“The guidance sets out the minimum number of weeks which people should isolate for. Once that period of isolation is over they are able to return to work.”
He added: “Everybody at Number 10 continues to practice social distancing which means staying two metres apart wherever possible.”
Asked again why he wasn’t keeping to the rules - and whether a reminder would be sent out to Number 10 staff - the spokesman said: “As I say what we will follow is the PHE guidance of what people should do if they believe they’ve had coronavirus.”
And asked if Mr Cummings was tested for the virus, the spokesman said: “Not to my knowledge.
“He certainly had coronavirus symptoms and that is why he self isolated.”
Mr Cummings was last seen running from Number 10 just hours after it was confirmed that Boris Johnson had tested positive for Covid-19.
It’s never been confirmed whether he was self-isolating in London or elsewhere.
Mr Johnson is “continuing his recovery at Chequers,” his spokesman said.
The Prime Minister is not yet back to work in his country retreat.
It is thought he has not yet phoned the Queen and No10 was unable to say if his weekly audience with Her Majesty will take place tomorrow.
His spokesman added: “The priority is for the Prime Minister to rest and recover and his medical team have advised him not to immediately return to work.”
