Covid-19 coronavirus: Johnson tells Trump he is 'on the road to recovery'

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is on sick leave, recovering from Covid-19. Photo / AP file

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to United States President Donald Trump to discuss coronavirus and international trade today in the clearest sign yet that he is close to returning to work full time.

Johnson will also resume his regular audiences with the Queen for the first time in three weeks as he takes back control from his stand-in Dominic Raab.

The Prime Minister told Trump he is "feeling better and on the road to recovery", the White House said.

A spokesman said: "President Trump and Prime Minister Johnson reaffirmed their close cooperation through the G7 and G20 to reopen global economies and ensure medical care and supplies reach all those in need... [they]also discussed bilateral and global issues, including our shared commitment to reaching a United States-United Kingdom free trade agreement."

44,000 people have died.

22 million people are unemployed.

Food banks are seeing a 98% surge in demand.

1/3 of renters missed April rent.

We can’t afford a piecemeal bandaid approach from Congress. We need a relief package that matches the scale of this crisis.

— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) April 21, 2020

The spokesman added that the two leaders discussed the international response to the virus, including "UK-US cooperation in the fight against the pandemic" and also "committed to continue working together to strengthen our bilateral relationship, including by signing a free trade agreement as soon as possible".

Raab will deputise for Johnson at tomorrow's Prime Minister's Questions and will also chair a Cabinet meeting in his absence, but there is an increasing expectation that Johnson will return to Number 10 next week.

The Prime Minister's spokesman said he was continuing his recovery at Chequers, but was now "receiving updates and making calls" in a clear sign he is increasing his workload every day.

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— Neil King (@NKingofDC) April 22, 2020

Johnson will speak to the Queen by phone later this week, resuming his weekly audiences for the first time since he fell ill. Raab has not been in contact with the Queen in Johnson's absence.

Johnson has also been holding meetings with aides at Chequers and held a two-hour meeting with Raab last week.

Sources have said he has asked for policy papers on domestic and international issues, as he gets himself up to speed on developments across Government in the time he has been on sick leave.