Boris Johnson forced to self isolate after meeting Ashfield MP Lee Anderson without mask

Mr Johnson has been told to self-isolate after being in contact with the Ashfield MP during a breakfast meeting with a small group of MPs on Nov 12.

The Nottinghamshire MP tested positive for Covid-19 after losing his sense of taste, according to a statement posted on his Facebook page on Sunday evening.

The picture, posted by the Conservative MP on Thursday, showed that both Mr Anderson and Mr Johnson appeared to be standing next to each other at the Downing Street office less than two metres apart.

Neither of them was wearing a face covering.

The Prime Minister, who was admitted to intensive care with Covid-19 in April, said he was notified by the NHS Test and Trace on Sunday that he must self-isolate.

Despite being in self-isolation, he remains upbeat and "feels great".

In a video posted on his Twitter, Mr Johnson said: "The good news is the NHS test and trace is working ever more efficiently.

"The bad news is they pinged me and I got to self isolate because somebody I was in contact with a few days ago has developed Covid (symptoms).

"It doesn't matter that we're all doing social distancing, it doesn't matter that I'm feeling fit as a butcher's dog, I feel great.

"In my circumstances, it actually doesn't matter that I had the disease and I'm bursting with antibodies, we have got to interrupt the spread of the disease."

He was also hopeful with the prospect of a vaccine which the Government will be able to start distributing to those in need, possibly even before Christmas.

“I’m absolutely confident together we can beat this disease. Don’t forget, hand, face, space, and get a test if you have symptoms.”

The Prime Minister also said that he would have "plenty more to say" in the next few days, but this will be done virtually.

"I have plenty more to say in the course of the next few days by Zoom, I mean and other means of electronic communications,” he said.

Mr Anderson said: ‘Last Thursday I attended a work meeting in No10 with the Prime Minister and other MPs. On Friday I began suffering from symptoms of Covid 19.

" I took a test and was informed of the positive result on Sunday morning. I was contacted by NHS Test and Trace on Sunday and informed them of my recent contacts. I am now following the rules and self-isolating as instructed.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Boris Johnson would be able to work fully from home and was “very sprightly”.

Asked if Mr Johnson and Lee Anderson were two metres apart during their meeting, including during a photocall, he said: “Well there is social distancing and there are rules around Downing Street being a Covid-secure workplace but the central point is that it doesn’t matter who you are, if you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace and told to self-isolate that is what you must do.

“You could be the Prime Minister, you can be anybody in this country – we have the same rules and we all abide by them.”