We all wish Boris Johnson a swift recovery – what is needed now is for others in government to step up

Editorial: There will be difficult decisions to take while the prime minister is being treated – there is no getting around that

The prime minister's colleagues, like Dominic Raab, have to step up in his absence (PA)

The extraordinary has started to become commonplace during this crisis. The prime minister being moved to intensive care is another such moment.

We all wish Boris Johnson a speedy recovery, and the outpouring of good wishes from across the political spectrum that followed the announcement is important. Now is not a time for political point-scoring, instead solidarity is the key.

Over the last few days, there have been questions about the wisdom of the prime minister continuing his duties while being treated for Covid-19 – that debate is now over. While it was admirable for Mr Johnson to seek to disrupt things as little as possible during a national emergency, the first secretary of state and designated stand-in, Dominic Raab, will now deputise where necessary.

Mr Raab is perfectly capable of chairing meetings and listening to expert advice. He will have to take colleagues with him, and cooperate with opposition parties, even the trade unions and business. It will have to be non-ideological government by consensus.

During Monday’s press conference, Mr Raab said that the current measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak were “beginning to work” and that shifting focus could mean “we won’t get through the peak as fast as we need to”.

This message will likely be repeated in the coming days. Make things too much about what is coming and the government risks not reassuring the population about how we will make it through the next few days. If there was ever a time for simple communication it is now: no mixed messages and no ministers going off script during television appearances.

Focused minds and a clear message about sticking to social distancing rules will help. It is time to prove that the machinery of government can work smoothly even if the prime minister is not in Downing Street.

As with any period during the last few weeks, there will be difficult decisions to take while Mr Johnson is being treated – there is no getting around that. Mr Raab has said there is an “incredibly strong team spirit” behind the prime minister; it will now be up to the first secretary of state and his colleagues to implement the plans Mr Johnson has called for, and to face any new challenges.

As the Queen told the country, these are times when everyone needs to put the national interest first. That goes for her ministers, too.