Chief in isolation after meeting with family from Toowoomba

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner is in isolation after interacting with people from a recently declared COVID-19 hot spot

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner is in isolation after interacting with people from a recently declared COVID-19 hot spot.

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison said Mr Gunner had developed cold and flu symptoms after meeting with family who has travelled from Toowoomba over the weekend.

The region was made a hot spot by the Queensland government following a meeting with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.

The NT government also declared Toowoomba a hot spot from Monday 4.30pm.

Mr Gunner was last seen at the St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday with his son, Hudson.

“First and foremost, you will notice that the Chief Minister is not present at the moment to do this announcement,” Ms Manison said.

“And the reason for that, I’m going to be very upfront is that he’s had family abroad from Toowoomba over the weekend.

“The Chief Minister has had some cold symptoms so he’s doing the right thing and making sure that he self isolates and get tested.”

Ms Manison said Mr Gunner’s isolation was “precautionary”.

“He has got some minor cold symptoms. He’s doing the right thing and taking extra precaution here, so he is going to isolate and get tested,” she said.

“Clearly his family members that have come over from Toowoomba, following the declarations we’ve made today, they will need to isolate and get tested too.”

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Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie said the risk infection of the Chief Minister was “really small”.

“Clearly there’s a risk. I think the risk is really small but the fact that the Chief Minister has got some symptoms, it’s very appropriate to go and get a test,” he said.

Originally published as Chief in isolation after meeting with family from Toowoomba