The Diplomat
The Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday on his return from the United Kingdom.
As reported by the Government of Gibraltar, Picardo was asymptomatic and his condition was detected in the PCR taken within 24 hours after arrival from the UK. His wife, who travelled with the Chief Minister, has tested negative.
As a result of this outcome, Picardo is required to self-isolate at home. This will require that all his appointments should be cancelled, including attendance at the Conservative Party Conference to host the Gibraltar Government reception and attendance at the Fourth Committee hearing at the United Nations, which was scheduled for next Tuesday and for which Picardo had obtained a diplomatic visa for travel. Alternative arrangements are being made for both these appointments.
The Chief Minister said: “I feel perfectly well and have come home as required by the Contact Tracing Bureau. I know this is an important time for Gibraltar, so, to an extent, I am happy to have got the disease now so that I am able, hopefully, to continue to deal with the negotiations to come on the UK/EU Treaty in Gibraltar’s future relationship with the EU”.
“I have had no symptoms whatsoever and have therefore been in contact with many people in the past 24 hours since my arrival into Gibraltar. The test result will now require me to share that data with the Contact Tracing Bureau”, he concluded.
