Boris Johnson’s senior adviser Dominic Cummings has returned to work at Downing Street after showing symptoms of the coronavirus over a fortnight ago.
Mr Cummings, a key member of the prime minister’s inner circle, was photographed walking into No 10 on Tuesday morning, alongside another adviser, Cleo Watson.
Before he began self isolating, he was spotted racing away from Downing Street on 27 March – just hours after news broke that the prime minister had tested positive for covid-19.
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Asked whether Mr Cummings was back at work, the prime minister’s spokesman said on Tuesday: “Correct. Yes, he has back in Number 10 working today”.
They also insisted that members of government will only return to work when they are no longer symptomatic and “after following all of the relevant Public Health England guidelines”.
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A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street
Photos Angela Christofilou
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Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
Angela Christofilou
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An empty street in the heart of Chinatown
Angela Christofilou
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People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
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A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown
Angela Christofilou
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Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance
Angela Christofilou
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A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus
Angela Christofilou
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Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho
Angela Christofilou
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A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice
Angela Christofilou
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A notice displayed on a shop window in Camden
Angela Christofilou
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As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street
Angela Christofilou
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A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area
Angela Christofilou
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Communities have been coming together in a time of need
Angela Christofilou
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A woman stands alone in a deserted Oxford Street. Up until a few weeks ago, on average, half a million people visited the street per day
Angela Christofilou
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A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced
Angela Christofilou
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During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown
Angela Christofilou
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Many supermarkers are operating a queuing system to make sure only a limited amount of customers are allowed in at anyone time
Angela Christofilou
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‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures
Angela Christofilou
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Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
20/29 Camden High Street
There are fears that coronavirus could lead to permanent closure of struggling shops
Angela Christofilou
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Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day
Angela Christofilou
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Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up
Angela Christofilou
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Empty streets around Soho
Angela Christofilou
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A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home
Angela Christofilou
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Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet
Angela Christofilou
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Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak
Angela Christofilou
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Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced
Angela Christofilou
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A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road
Angela Christofilou
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A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
Angela Christofilou
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A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street
Photos Angela Christofilou
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Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
Angela Christofilou
3/29
An empty street in the heart of Chinatown
Angela Christofilou
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People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
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A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown
Angela Christofilou
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Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance
Angela Christofilou
7/29
A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus
Angela Christofilou
8/29
Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho
Angela Christofilou
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A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice
Angela Christofilou
10/29
A notice displayed on a shop window in Camden
Angela Christofilou
11/29
As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street
Angela Christofilou
12/29
A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area
Angela Christofilou
13/29
Communities have been coming together in a time of need
Angela Christofilou
14/29
A woman stands alone in a deserted Oxford Street. Up until a few weeks ago, on average, half a million people visited the street per day
Angela Christofilou
15/29
A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced
Angela Christofilou
16/29
During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown
Angela Christofilou
17/29
Many supermarkers are operating a queuing system to make sure only a limited amount of customers are allowed in at anyone time
Angela Christofilou
18/29
‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures
Angela Christofilou
19/29
Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
20/29 Camden High Street
There are fears that coronavirus could lead to permanent closure of struggling shops
Angela Christofilou
21/29
Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day
Angela Christofilou
22/29
Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up
Angela Christofilou
23/29
Empty streets around Soho
Angela Christofilou
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A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home
Angela Christofilou
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Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet
Angela Christofilou
26/29
Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak
Angela Christofilou
27/29
Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced
Angela Christofilou
28/29
A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road
Angela Christofilou
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A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
Angela Christofilou
Pressed on why Mr Cummings did not appear to be maintaining a two-metre gap from fellow aide Ms Watson, the spokesperson insisted that “everyone in Number 10 continues to practise social distancing, which means staying two metres apart wherever possible”.
It comes as the prime minister continues to recuperate at his Chequers residence alongside his fiancee Carrie Symonds, after being discharged from St Thomas’ Hospital on Sunday. He had spent several days in intensive care after his symptoms worsened – leading to an outpouring of well wishes from global leaders and the public.
For the time being, Mr Johnson’s spokesperson said the PM was not involved in any government decisions, taking official phone calls or receiving papers in ministerial red boxes while Dominic Raab, the first secretary of state and foreign secretary, continues to deputise in his absence.
They also insisted the prime minister was following the advice of his medical team “not to immediately return to work” and would not speculate on when the prime minister is expected to take up his duties again at No 10.
