STV NewsScottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross is self-isolating in a hotel after coming into contact with a UK Tory minister who has tested positive for Covid-19.
Ross was told by text message at around 8.40am on Wednesday that a close contact had a positive test, his party confirmed.
Ross was already at the Scottish Parliament at the time he received the text, and so remained within his parliamentary office while authorities at Holyrood were informed.
The Scotland Office confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that David Duguid, the MP for Banff and Buchan, is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “Minister Duguid is self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus. He took a test as a precaution at a local UK Government test centre. He has notified those he was in close contact with.”
Duguid took the test as a precaution after some work-related travel and recent cases at his children’s school. The UK Government said he is feeling well and is asyptomatic, adding that he has not been in physical contact with any other Scotland Office ministers for more than a week.
Ross and Duguid visited Peterhead port on Monday to hear from leaders of the fisherman’s mission about how they have coped with the coronavirus pandemic.
Following Duguid’s positive test, guidance was provided to Ross by the authorities, who informed the Scottish Conservatives of the options available because he had not been contacted by Test and Protect.
A decision was taken by Ross to immediately self-isolate in an Edinburgh hotel, with the hotel informed that he would be arriving to do so. The party said that he would be getting a test as soon as possible.
Five members of staff and four MSPs are also planning to take Covid tests as soon as possible as a precaution.
A further two MSPs from another party have also been informed that they may wish to take a test as a precaution.
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