British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his finance minister Rishi Sunak have been notified by NHS test and trace that they have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, Downing Street said on Sunday.

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak will both self-isolate in line with national guidance, abandoning heavily criticized plans to take part in a pilot scheme that would have allowed them to continue working. 

"He will not be taking part in the testing pilot," a spokesman from Johnson's office said. "He will continue to conduct meetings with ministers remotely. The Chancellor (Sunak) has also been contacted and will also isolate as required and will not be taking part in the pilot."