COVID-19: Keir Starmer forced to self-isolate again after staff member tests positive
Written by News on 05/12/2020
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been forced back into self-isolation after a member of his staff tested positive for coronavirus.
A spokesperson for Sir Keir said: “This afternoon, Keir Starmer was advised to self-isolate after a member of his private office staff tested positive for the coronavirus.
“Keir is well and not showing any symptoms. He will now be working from home.”
He is expected to remain in isolation until 16 December after coming into contact with the employee on Tuesday, the spokesperson added.
Mr Starmer went into self-isolation in September after one of his children showed symptoms. The child’s test came back negative and he was able to return to normal duties.
The Labour leader’s wife, Victoria, works for an NHS hospital that allows any member of staff or relative to get a COVID-19 test done if they show symptoms.
But government guidelines advise people who come into contact with anyone who tests positive to remain indoors for 14 days – even if they test negative themselves. It is not clear when Sir Keir was last tested for the virus.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was forced to isolate for a second time last month after having a meeting with an MP who later tested positive.
Mr Johnson was forced to take part in Prime Minister’s Questions virtually after spending around 35 minutes with Lee Anderson on 12 November.
Like Sir Keir, he did not show any symptoms, but said he was “following the rules” and remained “as fit as a butcher’s dog” during his quarantine at Number 10.
(c) Sky News 2020: COVID-19: Keir Starmer forced to self-isolate again after staff member tests positive
