PM says UK 'should learn from Germany and not go to work when sick' - but refuses to say if he'll isolate with Covid

The Prime Minister has announced that British workers should "learn from Germany" and not go to work if they are feeling ill.

Boris Johnson made the statement during a Downing Street press conference where he was asked by ITV's Robert Peston regarding the ending of Covid support packages and workers receiving statutory sick pay on day one.

Mr Peston argued that the government is making it harder for poor people to self-isolate if they do test positive for Covid-19. Read more: Mr Johnson said: "We will continue with the day one payments for the next few weeks. "But I think after that what we need to recognise is that we are effectively dealing with, particularly in vaccinated people, with a disease that is like norovirus or flu or any other infectious respiratory disease and people should think about how they interact with others and they should be respectful of others people's health.

He added: "That goes for any infectious disease that you may be bringing into contact with people who are vulnerable. "In this country, I often heard it said over the last couple of years that we have a habit of going back to work or going into work when we are not well and people contrast that with Germany for instance where I am told they are much more disciplined about not going into work if you are sick and I'm suggesting that is something we could learn. "As for me, I will exercise restraint and responsibility in trying to avoid infecting other people." Some have criticised Mr Johnson's statement by pointing out the discrepancies relating to statutory sick pay between Germany and the UK.