All ministers restrict their movements after a cabinet member tests positive for Covid-19

A MEMBER OF THE Cabinet tested positive for Covid-19, according to a government statement.

All the ministers are now restricting their movements and waiting for a Covid-19 test.

It is understood that it is the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Navy, Charlie McConalogue (Fianna Fáil) who has tested positive for coronavirus.

It is also understood that the ministers are being evaluated as a precautionary measure and will be restricting their movements until they receive their results.

Green Party Leader and Minister Eamon Ryan was speaking to reporters when the news broke this afternoon. He said, “I absolutely wish Charlie the best and a safe and speedy recovery, and the same to all my colleagues.”

It has been a busy week for members of the Cabinet. Yesterday’s announcement of the Level 5 restrictions was preceded by a meeting of the full lineup of ministers.

The previous day the three party leaders met, followed by a meeting of the cabinet subcommittee on Covid, which includes senior ministers from key departments such as health and finance.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin held an end-of-the-year press conference last night after his appearance at the press conference alongside Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Greens leader Eamon Ryan yesterday afternoon, while Varadkar was interviewed in studio on Prime Time last night.

Martin was also interviewed by Claire Byrne about the latest Covid measures on RTÉ radio this morning.

If a person is considered to be a close contact for a confirmed case, they are referred for testing and advised to restrict their movement for 14 days from the last day they were in contact with the positive case.

This means staying home and not having visitors to the person’s home. Even if a test is negative, close contact is encouraged to end their 14-day movement restriction.

Additional reporting by Michelle Hennessy, Christina Finn, and Daragh Brophy