West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has tested positive to COVID-19 after a family member contracted the virus.
McGowan went into quarantine yesterday as he is a household contact of a case.
“In accordance with the protocols, this will extend my quarantine period until I am hopefully cleared to leave home next Thursday afternoon, at the earliest,” he said in a statement.
The WA premier will continue to work from home, and thanked health workers who “have not only cared for my family but also the many Western Australians who have been affected by this virus”.
He’s the second leader to be struck down with COVID-19 in as many days, with Labor Leader Anthony Albanese testing positive last night.
PM wishes Albo well with COVID-19
The Prime Minister wished Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese well with his COVID-19 recovery by listing all the things he achieved while he was in isolation with the same virus.
“I wish Anthony well with his recovery. Having had COVID, Peter has had it, it can be an unpleasant experience for some, it can be a terribly dangerous experience for others,” Mr Morrison said.
“My hope he has very mild symptoms and I’m sure he will continue to work on come in the same way that I did when I was also in isolation, putting the Budget together, dealing with the response to Ukraine as a government, chairing Cabinet and national security meetings, including dealing with the sorts of issues we have been discussing today.”
The diagnosis has thrown Albanese’s election campaign into turmoil as he has to stay home for a week.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will not need to isolate despite going head-to-head with the opposition leader in a debate earlier in the week, as he is not considered a close contact.
