Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak will not be isolating despite being pinged after Sajid Javid’s positive COVID test, Downing Street has said.

After Mr Javid, the newly-appointed health secretary, contracted coronavirus and went into quarantine, it was thought a number of other ministers and officials might also have to self-isolate.

But Downing Street said Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak will be taking in a pilot scheme whereby they will be tested daily and so do not have to quarantine.

A Number 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister and chancellor have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace as contacts of someone who has tested positive for COVID.

“They will be participating in the daily contact testing pilot to allow them to continue to work from Downing Street.

“They will be conducting only essential government business during this period.”

Mr Javid revealed on Saturday that he had tested positive for COVID – only a day after the health secretary reportedly met with Mr Johnson in Downing Street.

This morning, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News: “I appreciate the frustration [the public] might feel listening to this. They, like me or other members of the public, who are pinged will have to self-isolate in the usual way.”

Latest figures show over 500,000 people were pinged by the app in a week, leading to concerns millions could be forced out of work as coronavirus cases rise.

Referring to increasing numbers of people being told to self-isolate, Mr Jenrick he said: “I do appreciate that this is proving to be very challenging.”

There are currently 20 organisations in both the private and public sector, including Downing Street – currently taking part in the workplace pilot testing scheme.

These include Network Rail, Transport for London, Heathrow Airport and Border Force.

Typically, anyone identified as a contact by the tracing scheme would be required by law to self isolate for 10 days.

The announcement prompted accusations of double standards from Labour, who pointed out that the majority of members of the public would still have to self-isolate.

Jo Stevens, shadow culture minister, tweeted: “That’ll be the testing pilot that’s not available to others.

“Not available to people on low incomes with families to feed who simply can’t afford to stay away from work. One rule for the Tory Government and another for everyone else. Again.”

Labour MP, and chair of Business committee, Darren Jones tweeted: “I’ve had to cancel my entire week because I had a text from Parliament Test and Trace telling me to isolate until Friday.

“Taking part in a ‘daily testing pilot’ wasn’t offered to me, nor is it for millions of other workers stuck at home, I assume.”

Businesses and NHS leaders have been pressing for the NHS app to be overhauled and made less sensitive amid concerns that staff shortages will cripple services.

London Underground became the latest to succumb on Saturday when the Metropolitan Line was forced to close because of a lack of control room staff.

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