MICHAEL Gove is among the top Tories who are self-isolating after coming into close contact with Australia’s deputy prime minister, who has tested positive for coronavirus.
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps are also in isolation after meeting with Barnaby Joyce in London on Monday.
The Australian politician subsequently tested positive while travelling to Washington DC and is self-isolating for 10 days. It is not yet known if he tested positive for the new Omicron variant.
Shapps was forced to pull out of an HS2-related visit to Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, as he was due to mark a major contract signing with Hitachi to manufacture rolling stock.
He tweeted: “Sorry not to be travelling to @HitachiRailENG in County Durham today to welcome huge new @HS2ltd rolling stock contract.
“Have taken precaution of cancelling visit & have taken PCR test after being in contact with Australian Deputy PM this week – who’s tested positive for Covid.”
A spokesperson for Raab said: “He is getting tested and he is self-isolating while we wait to hear whether the Australian Deputy Prime Minister has Omicron or not.”
Joyce, who is fully vaccinated, said in a Facebook post on Thursday that he had been experiencing mild symptoms and decided to get tested.
He said he will remain in isolation while seeking further advice.
The news comes as Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross also entered self-isolation following a positive test among his parliamentary staff.
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