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The Duchess of Cambridge has been forced into self-isolation after coming close to someone who has tested positive for coronavirus – despite having no symptoms, both her vaccinations and testing negative four times in the past week, it was revealed today.
The farcical situation is preventing her from attending the NHS’ 73rd birthday celebrations with William at St Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace today.
It piles further pressure on Boris Johnson to scrap his controversial self-isolation rules from July 19 because it is causing chaos across British society, but especially for schools and businesses who are being ordered to send entire bubbles of children or staff home if just one person tests positive.
The NHS is facing similar issues with up to a fifth of staff in parts of the UK off with self-isolation notifications increasing the burden on already threadbare rotas. Experts said that up to 1million people may be stuck at home unnecessarily.
MailOnline understands that the Duchess was alerted about the contact with a Covid-infected person on Friday afternoon – after spending most of the day at Wimbledon.
It means she must quarantine for ten days even if she tests negative, which she has, up to four times, in the past seven days.
‘Last week The Duchess of Cambridge came into contact with someone who has subsequently tested positive for Covid-19’, her spokesman said, adding: ‘Her Royal Highness is not experiencing any symptoms, but is following all relevant government guidelines and is self-isolating at home’.
Tory MPs today urged to PM to scrap the self-isolation rules, with Mr Johnson said to be wavering on the issue.
Former Cabinet minister John Redwood told MailOnline: ‘I have constantly said that I think the self-isolation guidance and rules are now involving far too many people.
‘We need to revisit test and trace and self-isolation rules. Far too many people are now having to stay at home when they are not ill and they are properly vaccinated. I don’t understand what the problem is.’
He added: ‘We don’t want to get to the position where we have got hundreds of thousands of people at home perfectly well getting extremely frustrated.’
Kensington Palace has not revealed where or when exactly the contact was only saying it was ‘last week’, when Kate’s only two public engagements were at the All England Club on Friday and with William and George at England’s historic win over Germany on Tuesday night.
Kate has spent time close to a host of VIPs including David Beckham and Ed Sheeran at Wembley and Tim Henman and Joe Wicks at Wimbledon.
But it is not known if any of them tested positive for covid, or whether the contact came via a friend, a member of staff or another parent on the school run last week.
The Duchess arrived at Wimbledon at around midday and was joined by Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton and former British tennis player Tim Henman on an outside court where they watched Andy Murray’s brother Jamie play.
She was also pictured laughing and smiling as she prepped strawberry desserts at the All England Club before heading to the Royal Box where she seen speaking to a beaming Joe Wicks, leaving around 5pm.
Kate’s only other public engagement was on Tuesday when she went to Wembley Stadium with William and George to watch England beat Germany.
Kate waved to fans as she arrived at Wimbledon on Friday morning at just before Midday
The Duchess, who is self-isolating today, was joined by Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton and former British tennis player Tim Henman on Friday during a visit that may have forced her to quarantine at home
At one point the Duchess of Cambridge checked a mobile phone. It is not known if she was pinged via the NHS app. Later she prepped some strawberries to be eaten with cream
The Duchess headed to the All England Club’s kitchen where she helped prepare the classic Wimbledon snack of strawberries and cream
The Duchess of Cambridge chats with the beaming Body Coach Joe Wicks in the Royal Box at Centre Court on Friday afternoon
Kate was also sat next to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, (left) president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club
A palace source said that the Duchess took lateral flow tests before both engagements and both were negative. In addition to this, the Duchess is tested twice weekly with lateral flow tests as part of the Royal Household testing regime, meaning she had four negative tests in that time.
It is not known if the Duchess of Cambridge was alerted after being ‘pinged’ via the NHS app, a phone call from test and trace or if she or her team was contacted personally by the person who tested positive.
It means that William is having to lead and celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the NHS today, alone. The couple were due to attend a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral this morning before hosting an afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace. But instead the Duke of Cambridge is now flying solo.
Kate’s last public event was a visit to Wimbledon on Friday when she toured the SW19 sporting venue meeting staff in the museum, Centre Court kitchen and sitting with former tennis star Tim Henman to watch Jamie Murray play in the doubles.
The duchess is patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club and a keen tennis fan but is now likely to miss the men’s and Women’s final at the weekend.
Her only other public engagement was at Wembley, but it is not known if she attended any other events last week.
William contracted Covid last spring and was able to carry on with telephone and online engagements while he was treated by royal doctors but was reportedly hit ‘pretty hard’ by the virus and at one stage struggled to breathe.
The Prince of Wales also caught the virus during the same period but had milder symptoms although he did lose his sense of smell and taste for a period.
William, Kate and George after England beat Germany, pictured in front of Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden with the Beckhams and Ed Sheeran to their right (out of picture)
The Duke of Cambridge arrives for the NHS service of commemoration and thanksgiving to mark the 73rd birthday of the NHS at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, without the Duchess of Cambridge
The Duke of Cambridge will celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the NHS at a service of thanksgiving before hosting a tea at Buckingham Palace – without his wife.
William was due to attend both events with Kate, but it was announced today the Duchess will miss the engagements after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
The Duchess does not have any symptoms but is following government advice and self-isolating at home.
The service at St Paul’s Cathedral will celebrate the NHS’s contribution to the country during Covid-19, reflecting on the work and achievement of health staff, volunteers and carers.
William will join guests including leading figures in the NHS pandemic response, several hundred members of frontline staff, and patients.
Later he will host the NHS Big Tea in the grounds of Buckingham Palace to pay tribute to the work of NHS staff who have gone above and beyond in tackling the pandemic.
The farce over Kate’s self-isolation came as the PM will signal a sharp shift in approach at a press conference this afternoon, saying people must use their common sense on Covid risks rather than being compelled by the state.
The one-metre plus decree and advice to work from home where possible will be dropped, with mask wearing no longer mandatory – while pubs and other venues will not have to collect customer details and will again be able to serve drinks at the bar.
However, amid concerns from the British Medical Association and some experts, doubts have been raised over whether mask-wearing will really be scrapped after July 19. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has refused to say whether he will keep the rules on the Tube, while Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has demanded a rethink to protect the vulnerable. Unions warned it would be ‘gross negligence’ to drop the requirement.
It is unclear whether train companies and businesses will be able to keep demanding face coverings are worn, even if the law is changed. Nicola Sturgeon has also suggested that the rules could continue for longer in Scotland.
Care minister Helen Whately risked further muddying the waters this morning as she admitted she will not be abandoning masks ‘entirely’ from July 19. She suggested during a round of interviews that she might still wear one on ‘crowded’ trains from her Faversham constituency.
Tory MPs voiced alarm that the public faces a confusing situation and urged the premier to be ‘crystal clear’ about what is allowed.
Former minister Steve Baker told MailOnline: ‘Of course the government should be crystal clear what people are and are not required to do with facemasks.
‘If it is a matter of personal choice the government will need to clearly and without spin put the facts before the public about the implications and consequences of wearing and not wearing a mask.’
Speaking before his announcement, Mr Johnson said people would have to ‘exercise judgment’ to protect themselves from coronavirus.
‘Thanks to the successful rollout of our vaccination programme, we are progressing cautiously through our road map,’ he said. ‘Today we will set out how we can restore people’s freedoms when we reach Step 4.
‘But I must stress that the pandemic is not over and that cases will continue to rise over the coming weeks. As we begin to learn to live with this virus, we must all continue to carefully manage the risks from Covid and exercise judgment when going about our lives.’
However, the Government said it will not be known until July 12 – seven days before the target date for easing restrictions – whether its four tests for unlocking have been met, given the need to consult the latest data.
Before Mr Johnson’s appearance the Cabinet’s Covid committee will meet to finalise the plans for the final step of the roadmap out of lockdown to give businesses and the public time to prepare.
Boris Johnson (right) and new health secretary Sajid Javid (left) were both attending a service to mark the 73rd anniversary of the NHS today
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has refused to say whether he will keep the rules on the Tube, while Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has demanded a rethink to protect the vulnerable (pictured)
The UK recorded another 24,248 cases of Covid and a further 15 deaths yesterday
Sadiq Khan has suggested that face masks could still be required on the Tube even if the national rules change
After ‘Freedom Day’ on July 19 the wearing of face masks is set to become a personal choice in England
Amid signs of local divisions on the shape of the rules, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: ‘I struggle to see how Ministers can drop the requirement to wear masks on public transport without causing real problems for some people who are dependent on it.
‘Those more vulnerable to infection or anxious about it will be put in a very unfair position.
‘Rethink needed?’
City Hall sources said Transport for London could in theory set conditions of carriage relating to face coverings, but they suggested this would be ‘very difficult’.
A spokesman for Mr Khan said: ‘Evidence shows that the wearing of facemasks gives many Londoners the confidence that they can travel safely on public transport.
‘People feeling confident they can travel on our Tubes, buses and trains as they get busier will be a vital part of encouraging more people into central London as restrictions are lifted further, and it is something that we will continue to look at closely.’
The Scottish government has said there will be an ‘ongoing need’ for face coverings when all restrictions are lifted north of the border on August 9.
It said that while measures were ‘under review’ people could still be expected to wear masks on public transport and in shops.
Pressed on the mask issue on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ms Whately said: ‘I don’t know that I will be ditching it entirely.
‘I anticipate that there may be times when it is appropriate to wear it if I am somewhere that is crowded… I don’t expect to be wearing it so much.’
Asked what she would do on a commuter train from Kent to London, she said: ‘If there is a sort of environment where it is crowded I think I might.’
Ms Whately also said the requirement of face masks in health and care settings will continue following the final stage of the road map out of lockdown.
‘I’ll be looking at the guidance, I’ll be making a judgment, but I’m not keen to wear one when I don’t need one – personally, it’s not something I enjoy doing,’ she told Times Radio Breakfast.
‘But I’m also really aware that there will be circumstances, I’m expecting to continue in health and social care clearly, where people will need to continue to wear PPE, which includes masks.’
Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director of NHS England, said people should continue to be sensible even if formal restrictions are lifted.
Asked if he would still voluntarily wear a mask, he told BBC Breakfast: ‘I’ll be following the guidance as I have throughout.
‘There may be occasions in the next few months in a crowded environment where I might choose to wear a mask and I’m sure others will make similar choices.
‘I think people have gotten very aware of infection control and good hygiene over the last 16 months.
‘Some of the habits we’ve developed – washing hands more frequently, not going to work or not going to see people if you are feeling unwell – those are habits that it would be really great to continue because it will keep Covid under control, but also other infections as well.’
He added: ‘Many people will use common sense and if they want to be cautious, particularly over the next few weeks as infection rates are still high, then wearing a mask would be very appropriate.’
Professor Stephen Reicher, a member of the government’s Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (Spi-B) said he was anxious about mixed messaging on masks.
‘I think we need very clear messaging and I think in certain spaces – crowded, badly ventilated spaces – masks are crucial mitigation,’ he said.
‘Not lockdown, but support and proportionate mitigations to keep us safe. Along with the vaccine, that’s the way out.’
Unite national officer for passenger transport Bobby Morton said: ‘To end the requirement to wear masks on public transport would be an act of gross negligence by the government.
‘Rates of infection are continuing to increase and not only does mask wearing reduce transmissions it helps provide reassurance to drivers and to passengers who are nervous about using public transport.
‘The idea of personal responsibility and hoping that people will wear masks is absolutely ridiculous, members are already reporting there is an increase in passengers ignoring the rules on mask wearing.
‘Until rates of Covid-19 are fully under control, throughout the whole of the UK, the rules on mask wearing on public transport should remain in place.’
At the same time as the PM addresses the nation, Health Secretary Sajid Javid will take responsibility for announcing the Government’s plans to Parliament.
It follows stern rebukes from Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle in recent weeks for ministers deciding to make statements to the press before MPs.
As well as publishing the taskforce reviews, an update will also be provided on what is next for care home visits.
Care home visiting is unlikely to ‘completely go back to normal’ following the final stage of the road map out of lockdown, Ms Whately said.
‘We will be taking some more steps as part of Step 4 of the road map,’ she told Sky News.
‘I don’t think visiting will completely go back to normal. There will still have to be some precautions.
‘It’s step by step, getting things as close to normal as we can, while still protecting people who are at greater risk from Covid.’
Labour said the Government must declare how many Covid-related deaths it is willing to accept in the face of rising cases of the Indian strain – also know as the Delta variant – if restrictions are abolished.
Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: ‘We are all desperate to move on from restrictions but with infections continuing to rise steeply thanks to the Delta variant, Boris Johnson needs to outline the measures he will introduce such as ventilation support for building and sick pay for isolation to push cases down.
‘Letting cases rise with no action means further pressure on the NHS, more sickness, disruption to education and risks a new variant emerging with a selection advantage. So far ‘learning to live with the virus’ had been no more than a ministerial slogan.
‘Now we know this is the Government’s strategy, when Sajid Javid addresses the Commons he must explain what level of mortality and cases of long Covid he considers acceptable. And what support will be in place for the most deprived areas where cases are highest and vaccination rates lowest. These are important questions ministers now must answer.’
Downing Street said Mr Johnson would reiterate that Covid will become a virus that we learn to live with ‘as we already do with flu’.
A spokesman said: ‘This means that hospitalisations, serious illness and deaths from Covid will continue, albeit at a much lower level than before the vaccination programme.’
Step four of the roadmap had been due to happen on June 21, but was delayed by four weeks so more people could be vaccinated. Almost two thirds of adults have now received both doses.
Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick yesterday said that Britain’s coronavirus data was looking ‘very promising’.
The Communities Secretary pledged that in the next phase the ‘state won’t be telling you what to do’, with individuals exercising their own judgment on wearing masks.
The onus instead will be on ensuring that ‘every adult gets fully vaccinated’ to guard against rising hospital admissions and deaths, he told Sky News’s Trevor Phillips on Sunday.
‘We are not going to put the Covid-19 virus behind us forever, we are going to have to learn to live with it,’ he said.
‘But thanks to the enormous success of our vaccine programme the fact that now we have got to the point where 83 per cent of adults in this country have had at least one jab, we should be able to think about how we can return to normality as much as possible.
‘The data that we are seeing that the Prime Minister is reviewing at the moment ahead of his decision point on the road map looks very positive.
‘It does seem as if we can now move forward and move to a much more permissive regime where we move away from many of those restrictions that have been so difficult for us and learn to live with the virus.
‘That does mean that we are going to have to treat it carefully, we are going to have to keep on monitoring the cases and we are going to have to ensure that every adult gets double-vaxxed because that is the key to keeping the virus under control as we move into the autumn and the winter.’
Some scientific experts have called for the rules on wearing face masks in shops and on public transport to be retained. But Mr Jenrick said wearing face coverings will be made a matter of choice and personal responsibility.
He said: ‘Like many people I want to get away from these restrictions as quickly as I possibly can and we don’t want them to stay in place for a day longer than is necessary.
‘We are going to, I think, now move into a period where there won’t be legal restrictions, the state won’t be telling you what to do, but you will want to exercise a degree of personal responsibility and judgement. So different people will come to different conclusions on things like masks for example.’
Asked directly if he will ditch his mask should he be permitted to do so, the Housing Secretary said: ‘I will. I don’t particularly want to wear a mask. I don’t think a lot of people enjoy doing it. We will be moving into a phase where these will be matters of personal choice and so some members of society will want to do so for perfectly legitimate reasons.
‘But it will be a different period where we as private citizens make these judgments rather than the Government telling you what to do.’
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