Andrews cabinet now a hotbed of Covid-19

Four Andrews government MPs have tested positive for Covid just days after a swearing-in ceremony.

Governor Linda Dessau and Victorian Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan on Monday. Picture: AAP

Victoria’s new Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan will spend her first week in the role working from home, after she tested positive for Covid alongside at least three colleagues, prompting fears that Saturday’s caucus meeting and Monday’s swearing-in ceremony may have been superspreader events.

After being sworn in as part of Daniel Andrews’ revamped cabinet on Monday, Ms Allan said she woke up with mild Covid symptoms on Tuesday morning and returned a positive rapid antigen test, and plans to work from home in her Bendigo East electorate for the next seven days.

Woke up with mild symptoms this morning, did a RAT and have tested positive to COVID. Will spend the next week working from home #springst

— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) June 27, 2022

A short time later, Harriet Shing, who on Saturday entered cabinet as the Minister for Water, Regional Development and Equality, became the latest Victorian Labor MP to confirm her Covid positive status.

Not quite the start I was hoping for…rest and working from home it is. 😔 pic.twitter.com/zHO3huKbSQ

— Harriet Shing MP (@ShingvWorld) June 27, 2022

“Not quite the start I was hoping for … rest and working from home it is,” Ms Shing tweeted on Tuesday morning.

Corrections Minister Sonya Kilkenny was forced to miss her swearing in as a first-time minister on Monday after she tested positive, and retiring former police and water minister Lisa Neville was unable to attend Saturday’s caucus meeting after she came down with Covid.

Employment Minister Jaala Pulford wished her colleagues, particularly Ms Allan, a speedy recovery on Tuesday.

“Obviously the way that Covid affects everyone is really, really different. We’re all wishing her a light touch dose and a very quick recovery,” Ms Pulford said.