MPs get tested amid Covid-19 outbreak in parliament

MPs are hastily getting tested in Canberra amid concerns of a Covid outbreak after at least three politicians tested positive for the virus.

MPS are rushing to get tested in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage/NewsWire

EXCLUSIVE

Parliamentarians have been ordered to take PCR tests after three MPs tested positive for Covid in the last 24 hours.

News.com.au has confirmed that Coalition frontbencher Kevin Hogan, the Assistant Minister to Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, and Assistant Minister for Road Safety Scott Bucholz have both tested positive.

Queensland Labor MP Annika Wells is also isolating after testing positive this morning and experiencing symptoms. As a result all Labor MPs who attended caucus have been ordered to get tested.

MPS are rushing to get tested in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage/NCA NewsWire

Mr Buchholz told news.com.au he was triple vaccinated.

“Earlier today I received my test results confirming I was positive to COVID-19, after taking a PCR test,” he said.

“I’m now doing what millions of other Aussies have had to do, I am isolating and following ACT guidelines.”

“FYI fully vaccinated, now having mild cold like symptoms.”

Road Safety Minister Scott Bucholz has copme down with Covid. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Labor MP Anika Wells tested positive at home this morning after experiencing symptoms amid reports of several infectious cases in the building.

“She tested positive this morning at her accommodation,’’ a spokesman for Ms Wells told news.com.au said the MP had symptoms and got tested.

“She basically just has to isolate in Canberra for the next seven days.”

Ms Wells is a mother of twins. It’s not known if the children were with her in Canberra.

The Queensland MP is the latest in a long line of politicians to test positive including Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Defence Minister Peter Dutton.

Several cases have been reported at Parliament House this week alone according to presiding officers.

“People who have had potential exposure have been contacted and tested as appropriate,’’ a spokesman for the Department of Parliamentary Services said.

Member for Lilley, Anika Wells, has tested positive for Covid-19. Picture: Liam Kidston

Anika Wells with her twins Ossian and Dashiell before Question Time in Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage/NCA NewsWire

Masks remain mandatory at Parliament House.

In the Australian Capital Territory, 98.6 per cent of people over 12 are double vaccinated with 62.2 per cent having had a booster.

Yesterday, 594 new cases were confirmed in Canberra. Case numbers have been steadily dropping in the ACT since a peak in early January.