Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid self-isolating after son develops coronavirus symptoms

TV host says she is 'currently well' but taking precautions in line with government advice

Sarah Jones
Tuesday 17 March 2020 10:43 GMT
Comments
Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid self-isolating after one of her children shows coronavirus symptoms

Susanna Reid has revealed she is self-isolating after one of her children developed symptoms of coronavirus.

The 49-year-old, who hosts Good Morning Britain (GMB) alongside Piers Morgan, said she plans to spend the next 14 days away from the ITV breakfast show, in line with advice from the government.

“I am currently well but due to the new advice today I will be self-isolating for two weeks due to symptoms in my household,” she wrote on Twitter. “Stay well everyone.”

During Tuesday’s GMB, Reid told co-host Morgan that while she was displaying “no symptoms” and believed her son's illness was only a “seasonal cold”, she was still taking precautions.

Appearing on the show via video link, Reid said: “One of the boys, one of my children, has a cough, a persistent cough, and that came on yesterday.”

She added that her decision followed the first of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s daily press conferences on Monday, in which he called on people to stay away from pubs, clubs and theatres and to avoid all non-essential contacts and travel.

“Before the briefing yesterday afternoon, the advice had been the person themselves would be confined to the house for seven days,” Reid explained.

“Well, suddenly with these new drastic action measures, that changed yesterday afternoon. It meant if one member of your household had the cough or fever you would all have to go in self isolation for 14 days. Immediately, I thought I can’t go into work and work with you guys for 14 days.

“All the children are off. We’re two households. It’s a very unusual situation. I am very, very lucky. I’m paid even when I’m sick. I’m in a privileged position.”

Susanna Reid is self-isolating for 14 days (ITV/Good Morning Britain)

Morgan quipped that Reid had taken extreme measures so that she could take a break from working with him.

“I have heard of some ways of avoiding working with me but this is ridiculous,” he said.

Among those sending Reid their well wishes were BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker, who tweeted: “Stay safe Susanna. Hope you and the family are ok. See you back in a few weeks.”

Gary Lineker also told the GMB host to “stay well”, while Davina McCall commented: “Love to you all xxxx”.

Earlier this week, newsreader George Alagiah also made the “difficult decision” to withdraw from the BBC’s newsroom amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The 64-year-old was diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer in April 2014 and continues to receive treatment. His agent said he will self-isolating after consulting with his doctors and editor.

“It’s been a difficult decision. At a time like this I so wanted to play my part in the BBC Newsroom, working with my colleagues to report on this unprecedented crisis - especially as so many are turning to the BBC to make sense of what can seem a frightening and confusing situation,” Alagiah said.

“After talking to my doctors and my editor we all decided that, on a balance of risks, it was probably best that I withdraw from the newsroom.”

Celebrities including Idris Elba, Game Of Thrones star Kristofer Hivju, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have all tested positive for coronavirus.

For all the latest news on the coronavirus outbreak, follow The Independent's live blog here.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in