Back To Work - Having Recovered From COVID-19, British PM Boris Johnson Returns To The Hot Seat

It's been a month since UK PM Boris Johnson tested positive for COVID-19. At one point his life was in danger, but he eventually recovered. Now, he is all set to return to work and is back in the hot seat.

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He returns in the midst of turmoil as UK looks to get past this pandemic which has already claimed so many lives.

AFP

The economy is suffering and six business leaders have written to the government asking for an ease of restrictions. Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer wrote to Johnson calling for an ¡°exit strategy".

Among the business leaders are Conservative Party billionaire donors Michael Spencer and Peter Hargreaves, according to the Sunday Times.

¡°We should really begin to offer a narrative of how and when it¡¯s going to stop,¡± Spencer told the newspaper, as per a report in Hindustan Times.

AFP

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who was filling in for Johnson, rejected calls for easing the lockdown.

"Until we can be confident -- based on the scientific advice -- that we are making sure-footed steps going forward that protect life, but also preserve our way of life, frankly it is not responsible to start speculating,¡± he told Sky.

UK's death toll is nearly 21,000 with over 150,000 people testing positive.

AFP

Environment Secretary George Eustic told the media that workers are taking advantage of the government¡¯s furlough program, where up to 80% of their salary is paid by the taxpayer. They will be asked to take second jobs in the agricultural sector to help farmers bring in the harvest, as migrant numbers are down.

The bottom line is that Johnson faces an uphill battle. He has seen himself how bad the disease is and now it is time to get back into the thick of things.