Sajid Javid Photo: VCG

British Health Secretary Sajid Javid said on Saturday he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was self-isolating - just as his government prepared to jettison most pandemic restrictions in England.

Under his government's rules, Javid is now required to self-isolate for 10 days, after he tweeted that a PCR test had confirmed his initial lateral flow test.

Any of his "close contacts" - potentially including others in the government - would have to self-isolate too if they receive instructions from the state-run National Health Service (NHS).

Javid had a "lengthy" meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday, according to the Sunday Times.

Johnson nearly died of COVID in 2020. Downing Street declined to comment on whether the prime minister or other members of the cabinet now also face isolation.

Javid appeared alongside ministers in parliament last week, and one government source told The Telegraph newspaper: "I don't see how half the cabinet doesn't end up in isolation by the end of the week."

Javid has only been in the job since June 26, when former health secretary Matt Hancock resigned following revelations that he had broken coronavirus restrictions during an affair with a close aide.

Javid stressed he has received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and his symptoms were "very mild." He said any member of the public feeling symptoms should get a test too.

"If everyone plays their part, you're not only protecting yourself and your loved ones, but you're also safeguarding the NHS and helping to preserve our way of life," the minister said.