UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has rethought his refusal to self-isolate after coming into contact with a positive Covid-19 case

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has changed his mind about refusing to isolate after coming in contact with Covid-19. The UK Health Minister Sajid Javid recently tested positive for the virus, just days before the country is due to reopen.

Shortly after this news, the government announced that PM Johnson and chancellor Rishi Sunak would participate in a trial program that would allow him to return to work and avoid isolating. However, less than three hours later Johnson backtracked on this decision amid a wave of criticism.

“I think it’s far more important that everybody sticks to the same rules,” Johnson said after opposition leaders called his refusal to isolate ‘hypocritical’. The trial program would allow certain people to test every day rather than needing to isolate.

“Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak have been busted yet again for thinking the rules that we are all following don’t apply to them,” Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said.

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green party also expressed his anger at the revoked decision. He highlighted that the education of many young people across the nation has been impacted even after “dutifully and responsibly isolating”.

“Anger doesn’t begin to cover it,” Bartley said.

England set to reopen despite high case numbers

The move comes just days before Britain is set to completely drop all remaining Covid-19 restrictions. The nation’s so-called ‘Freedom Day’ will remove the requirement to wear face masks. The government will also lift limits of social gatherings, and allow high-risk business to nightclubs to reopen.

Covid-19 cases in Britain continue to rise by about 50,000 a day. Almost 70% of the UK’s adult population are fully vaccinated. The health secretary who tested positive is fully vaccinated, and only has mild symptoms. He will be isolating and working from home.

Covid-19 attacks athletes’ village in Tokyo

The UK isn’t the only place facing Covid-19 controversy. Britain’s plans to reopen come as the rest of the world also continues to face Covid-strife.

Tokyo 2020 chief executive Toshiro Muto confirmed a foreign visitor tested positive with the virus. The 60-year-old only had mild symptoms, but went to hospital due to their age.

Athletes are just starting to arrive for the Games which will run from July 23 to August 8. Organisers have promised that the Games will be “safe and secure”. Tokyo had 1,308 new cases on Thursday and another 1,271 on Friday.