Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard is self-isolating after she hugged Canada’s first lady week before she tested positive to COVID-19
- Former prime minister Julia Gillard, 58, has gone into self-isolation in London
- She had shared a stage with Canadian first lady Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, 44
- The women had appeared together for a WE Day youth charity event on March 4
- Ms Trudeau tested positive for coronavirus, Ms Gillard won’t have COVID-19 test
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Australia’s former prime minister Julia Gillard is in self-isolation in London after she hugged Canada’s first lady on a stage at a youth charity event.
Ms Gillard, 58, embraced Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, as she kissed her on her right cheek, on March 4 as the two women appeared at Wembley Stadium for WE Day.
The 44-year-old wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had talked about her battle with bulimia as a teenager during the discussion about women’s equality.
She revealed nine days later she had been diagnosed with coronavirus.
Australia’s former prime minister Julia Gillard (right) is in self-isolation in London after she hugged Canada’s first lady Sophie Gregoire Trudeau (left) on a stage at WE Day youth charity event
A spokeswoman for Ms Gillard, Australia’s first female prime minister, said she was in self-isolation in London as a precaution but had not been tested for COVID-19.
‘Former PM Gillard did attend the WE Day event with Sophie Trudeau,’ she told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday.
‘Ms Gillard is well and coming to the end of the recommended period for self isolation, which she has been doing as a precautionary measure only.
‘She is following current UK public health advice and so at this stage has not been tested.’
A spokeswoman for Ms Gillard, Australia’s first female prime minister, said she was in self-isolation in London as a precaution but had not been tested for COVID-19. ‘Former PM Gillard did attend the WE Day event with Sophie Trudeau,’ she told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday
The former Labor leader, who now chairs the Global Partnership for Education, has not shown any symptoms of coronavirus as she self-isolated for 14 days, her spokeswoman said.
‘Ms Gillard is in London and feeling well, but as a precaution is self-isolating and will continue to do so until the end of the recommended period,’ she said.
The Canadian WE Day charity confirmed on March 13 that Ms Trudeau had coronavirus.
‘Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, wife of the Canadian Prime Minister, tested positive for COVID-19,’ it said in a statement.
‘The WE organization wishes Ms. Grégoire Trudeau a swift recovery.’
Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Liberal PM, is working from home, via teleconferencing, after his wife reported feeling unwell after returning to Canada from the UK.
Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Liberal PM, is working from home, via teleconferencing, after his wife reported feeling unwell after returning to Canada from the UK
Queensland’s Labor Health Minister Steven Miles, state Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath and Multicultural Affairs Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has declined to go into self isolation, despite sharing a stage with Mr Dutton on Monday last week at the opening of the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Moreton Bay campus at Petrie, north of Brisbane
In Australia, two federal MPs have so far tested positive to coronavirus, including Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and his Queensland Coalition colleague, Nationals senator Susan McDonald.
Queensland’s Labor Health Minister Steven Miles, state Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath and Multicultural Affairs Minister Stirling Hinchliffe have declined to go into self-isolation, despite sharing a stage with Mr Dutton on Monday last week at the opening of the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Moreton Bay campus at Petrie, north of Brisbane.
Federal Liberal Education Minister Dan Tehan was also at the same event.
Mr Dutton went public with his COVID-19 diagnosis four days later.
Queensland Health guidelines only require self-isolation if it someone comes into contact with someone within 24 hours of their coronavirus diagnosis.