Conservative leader in self-isolation, being tested for COVID-19

OTTAWA – Federal Conservative leader Erin O’Toole and his family are in self-isolation after a staff member he travelled with tested positive for COVID-19.

The Conservative party made the announcement in a statement, saying the staff member was travelling with O’Toole, and while the leader has not shown any symptoms O’Toole and his family are isolating and being tested as a precaution.

NEW – Federal PC leader Erin O’Toole to be tested for Covid-19.
A statement says “A member of Mr. O’Toole’s staff, with whom he was travelling, has tested positive for COVID-19. While he hasn’t shown symptoms, Mr. O’Toole and his family are being tested” pic.twitter.com/3lyKmASjAh

— Richard Southern (@RichardCityNews) September 16, 2020

“My family and I are feeling well, but we take COVID-19 very seriously. Today was going to be Jack’s first day back at school, but instead, we will be getting tested and self-isolating per public health guidelines. The health and safety of my family and all Canadians is my top priority,” O’Toole said in a statement.

O’Toole’s office is also contacting everyone he has recently met with.

The Conservative leader was to appear at a party event in Alberta Wednesday evening, part of a mini-tour of the Conservative heartland in the west.

This comes in the wake of news the entire Bloc Quebecois caucus is isolating after a staff member tested positive, as well as the wife of leader Yves-Francois Blanchet.

Blanchet’s aide tested positive a few days after the Bloc caucus met in person in St-Hyacinthe, Que.

The isolations come less than a week away from the throne speech and the start of the fall sitting of parliament.

-With files from Cormac Mac Sweeney and The Canadian Press