ABC weatherman Paul Higgins pulled off air after ‘serious Covid breach’

Veteran ABC weatherman Paul Higgins has been taken off air after he was allegedly caught in a “serious breach” of the broadcaster’s Covid protocols.

Veteran ABC weatherman Paul Higgins has been pulled off air after he was allegedly caught in a “serious breach” of the broadcaster’s Covid protocols.

Higgins, who has been a presenter on the ABC for nearly 20 years, has been missing from screens for the past fortnight.

His absence from on-air duties comes after he allegedly failed to isolate while awaiting results from a PCR test and continued to work as the main newsreader for multiple bulletins, the Herald Sun reports.

Sources told the publication the Melbourne newsroom was stunned when Higgins stood up and reportedly announced he had just received the results of a positive test, an outrage that was further fuelled when he allegedly proceeded to walk around the newsroom without a mask.

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Veteran ABC weatherman Paul Higgins has been pulled off air after he was allegedly caught in a “serious breach” of the broadcaster’s Covid protocols.

Higgins was immediately suspended from presenting and an internal investigation is underway.

An ABC spokesman told news.com.au that “for confidentiality and privacy reasons the ABC doesn’t comment on matters involving members of staff”.

“The ABC has rigorous procedures and protocols for managing Covid in the workplace,” he added.

Higgins had been scheduled as the main news anchor during the summer January period, but is still reportedly missing from broadcasts despite his seven-day isolation period having ended.

No other positive cases have been linked to his actions.

No other positive cases have been linked to Higgins’ actions.

Earlier this month, national cabinet endorsed exempting millions of close contact workers from Covid-19 isolation rules.

The changes cover those in the media, as well as transport and logistics, healthcare, food and beverage production and distribution, resources, utilities, education, childcare and emergency services.

High-risk close contacts – like those who are living with someone with the virus – must take a rapid antigen test every second day until day six of their isolation period.

Those considered low risk do not have to have the regular tests, but must monitor for symptoms.