MATT Hancock said he is self-isolating after receiving an alert through England's NHS Covid-19 app.
In a video posted on Twitter, he said: “Last night I was pinged by the NHS coronavirus app, so that means I’ll be self-isolating at home, not leaving the house at all until Sunday.
Last night I was alerted by the @NHSCOVID19app to self isolate so I’ll be staying at home & not leaving at all until Sunday.
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) January 19, 2021
We all have a part to play in getting this virus under control. pic.twitter.com/MaN1EI7UyY
“This self-isolation is perhaps the most important part of all the social distancing because I know from the app I’ve been in close contact with somebody who has tested positive and this is how we break the chains of transmission.
“So you must follow these rules like I’m going to. I’ve got to work from home for the next six days, and together, by doing this, by following this, and all the other panoply of rules that we’ve had to put in place, we can get through this and beat this virus.”
Scotland uses the Protect Scotland app, which also notifies users if they have been in close contact with somebody who has tested positive for the virus.
Hancock must quarantine despite having tested positive for Covid-19 in March, announcing his diagnosis shortly after Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed his own. He said his symptoms were mild.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon update: What to expect from lockdown announcement and how to watch
It is understood that Hancock was given the duration of his isolation period by the NHS app.
The health service’s website says the isolation period includes the day the individual was last in contact with the person who tested positive and the next 10 full days.
The Tory minister had been photographed strolling through a busy Queen’s Park in London over the weekend.
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