There should be no surprise in this news.... just in time to ramp up the fear again before Autumn kicks in and the colds and flu season.
The Chief Minister has tested positive for COVID-19 upon his return from the United Kingdom. Fabian Picardo was asymptomatic and his condition was detected in the PCR taken within 24 hours after arrival from the UK. Mrs Picardotravelled with him but has tested negative.
Mr Picardo is required to self-isolate at home. All his appointments have been 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 Mr Picardo had obtained a diplomatic visa for travel. Alternative arrangements are being made for both appointments.
The Chief Minister said he feels perfectly well. He said he knows it is an important time for Gibraltar, so, to an extent, he is happy to have got the disease now so that he is able to continue to deal with the negotiations that lie ahead on the UK/EU Treaty in Gibraltar's future relationship with the EU.
Mr Picardo said he had no symptoms whatsoever and had been in contact with many people in the past 24 hours since returning to Gibraltar. He will now share that data with the Contact Tracing Bureau.