Downing Street has defended the decision to offer a coronavirus test to Michael Gove’s daughter while some frontline NHS staff are forced to wait.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster denied breaking the rules after he was spotted jogging in the park near his London home – despite going into isolation last week when his daughter started showing Covid-19 symptoms.
It emerged that the senior minister had been given special permission by the chief medical officer Chris Whitty to have his daughter tested in order to allow him to return to work to lead Whitehall’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
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But the move is likely to prompt anger over difficulties faced by NHS staff to access testing, meaning some are self isolating needlessly while others could be spreading the virus to patients.
Asked why Mr Gove’s family were considered a priority, a No 10 spokesman said: “The test was carried out on the advice of the chief medical officer and in line with medical guidance.
“The minister in charge of the cabinet office is a central role in the coronavirus response. Testing a member of the household ensure that Michael Gove could get back to work to drive the government’s response at a difficult time.”
Pressed on whether this was a double standard, the spokesman said: “No, as I say it was done on the advice of the chief medical officer. The prime minister received a test when he was suffering from symptoms, as did the health secretary.
“Clearly the three ministers which we are talking about all perform critical roles.”
Some 2,630 tests of NHS staff were carried out up to 9am on Sunday, taking the tally for drive through assessments to 42,812 health workers and their families.
Downing Street described the total as “significant” progress from a week ago – and said sickness levels among NHS staff have fallen to 7.7 per cent, compared to 8 per cent last Friday.
Mr Gove entered self isolation last week under guidance that states anyone who lives with someone displaying coronavirus symptoms should stay home for 14 days.
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He revealed his daughter had tested negative for the virus when he was spotted jogging outside on Easter Sunday.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson is continuing to recuperate at Chequers, his Buckinghamshire retreat, after being discharged from hospital on Sunday.
His official spokesman said the prime minister tested negative for the virus before leaving hospital.
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A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street
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Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
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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
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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
4/29
People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
5/29
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
9/29
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
25/29
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
The spokesman told a Westminster briefing: “It is standard practice in hospitals to do that and the results came back negative.”
Dominic Cummings, the prime minister’s chief adviser, has not been tested for coronavirus after self-isolating with Covid-19 symptoms.
He remains “in contact” with No 10 but he is not working in Downing Street, the prime minister’s spokesman said.
