Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce tests positive to COVID-19 in Washington DC
The Deputy Prime Minister, who was due to meet with Republican Senator Ted Cruz this week, went for a COVID-19 test after "experiencing mild symptoms".
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has tested positive to COVID-19 in the United States.
Mr Joyce issued a statement to Twitter on Thursday morning confirming he had contracted the virus while overseas to meet with dignitaries.
"The Deputy Prime Minister has confirmed he has tested positive for COVID while in Washington DC," the statement read.
"Remaining members of the delegation have tested negative.
"Mr Joyce will remain in isolation until further advice."
A warm — if not typically rainy — London welcome to my good friend, the Deputy Prime Minister! @Barnaby_Joyce and I will meet with our partners across the UK Government to advance our shared trade, security and investment links. pic.twitter.com/mLV2k8FRd2
— George Brandis (@AusHCUK) December 4, 2021
He is reportedly staying at the Jefferson Hotel, which is less than one kilometre from the White House.
The statement said Mr Joyce decided to get tested after "experiencing mild symptoms".
Deputy Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud confirmed he has been in touch with Mr Barnaby following the diagnosis.
"He’s isolating in the US until it’s safe for him to come home and we wish him all the best for his recovery," he tweeted.
I’ve been in touch with Barnaby this morning, he let me know he tested positive for COVID-19.
— David Littleproud MP (@D_LittleproudMP) December 8, 2021
He’s isolating in the US until it’s safe for him to come home and we wish him all the best for his recovery.
A pleasure to meet my Australian counterpart @barnaby_Joyce this morning and reaffirm our great nations’ enduring partnership.
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) December 6, 2021
As fellows of the Commonwealth, G20 and Five Eyes we stand side-by-side on the global challenges that face us.
🇬🇧 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/rBGOFjiBlL
Mr Joyce flew out to UK earlier this month to meet with counterparts on infrastructure and how to restore the aviation industry post-pandemic.
He was asked by the Sydney Morning Herald earlier this week whether he was concerned about being in the UK due to the COVID-19 risk.
He replied: “No, not really... I think the world’s moving on."
“I was, as you do, I was going around some of the popular streets, going around Regent Street, Bond Street; people just lined up, shoulder to shoulder.
“I imagine people are going to get COVID. [Given] that, the mechanism is let’s try to make sure people don’t die. But I think this is going to be endemic in the community and that will be the way forward and people will just keep getting booster shots and new vaccines for new variants.”
— Barnaby Joyce (@Barnaby_Joyce) December 8, 2021
Great to meet Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, @barnaby_joyce today. We discussed the strength of the UK 🇬🇧 / Australia 🇦🇺 relationship, the value of our AUKUS alliance and how levelling up our transport systems will deliver jobs and prosperity across our countries🚘🚂🚢 pic.twitter.com/YhaPtEDgyr
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) December 6, 2021
Mr Joyce then travelled to the United States to find support to halt the power of Facebook and its founder Mark Zuckerberg, saying the CEO is "not above democracy".
He was scheduled to meet with Republican Senator Ted Cruz and Marsha Blackburn in Washington DC on Wednesday (local time).
The pair both heavily criticised the social media giant over online safety for children.
Mr Joyce's mission against Facebook came after he was personally affected by online bullying.
The Deputy Prime Minister revealed his daughter became a victim of social media bullying and vowed to protect her and her other daughter from the "literal filth that is the 'content' of so many online platforms and their miscreant authors".
"People and organisations have made themselves rich beyond our comprehension in the business of providing these platforms - unimaginable wealth from the the computer coding behind Google, Twitter, Facebook, Tik Tok," Mr Joyce said at the time.
"The public has reasonable grounds to ask that these companies, supporting the lifestyles of billionaires, do not make their money by dropping character bricks on the heads of innocent private individuals."