MPs’ dinner at BYOB pizzeria plunges NSW parliament into lockdown

New South Wales politicians have been forced into isolation after a minister caught the virus during a pre-budget dinner at a pizza restaurant.

Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall tested positive after he dined at Christo’s Five Ways Pizzeria with fellow Nationals MP Steph Cooke and Upper House members Ben Franklin and Trevor Khan on Monday night.

They headed to the family-run restaurant – which serves $15 pizzas and pastas and lets customers bring their own booze – after arriving in Sydney ahead of the parliamentary sitting week.

NSW Health staff leave with Covid testing equipment at NSW State Parliament – after conducting tests on politicians

All of the politicians checked in using the QR code system, which would prove vital later on.

On Tuesday the four politicians attended a Nationals party room meeting before Treasurer Dominic Perrottet handed down the state budget in the lower house.

‘We had the normal budget day of Parliament, a series of meetings, but nothing out of the ordinary at all,’ Mr Marshall told Sky News on Thursday.  

He said he was in the same room but not close to the Treasurer and the Premier. 

That night at 11.51pm they got texts from NSW Health to say a positive case had been in the pizzeria from 5.55pm to 8.30pm, overlapping with the time they were there. 

Ms Cooke said she read the message when she woke up on Wednesday morning. 

‘I am following the advice of NSW Health by staying in isolation and taking further tests in coming days,’ she said in a statement. 

As instructed, the politicians isolated and got tested. Three were negative but Mr Marshall returned a positive result on Thursday morning, forcing government whips to order politicians to isolate in their parliamentary offices and await further instructions.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard, who was deemed to have close contact with Mr Marshall on Tuesday, has also been forced into isolation and is awaiting a test result.

All of the politicians checked in using the QR code system, which would prove vital later on

Mr Hazzard has said it is ‘unlikely’ that Premier Gladys Berejiklian will have been infected. 

Health officials were seen leaving the Parliament building with testing kits on Thursday morning after conducting mass swabs.

Labor leader Chris Minns was due to deliver his budget reply speech on Thursday but that has been postponed until further notice. 

In a statement, Mr Marshall – who has displayed no symptoms – confirmed that he had followed health orders.  

‘This morning just after 8am I was formally advised by NSW Health that I had returned a positive test for COVID-19,’ he said.

‘I have been in isolation in Sydney since late Tuesday night, when I received a text message from NSW Health advising of my attendance at a close contact venue on Monday evening, and the need to present for testing.

‘To everyone who has contacted me this morning, thank you for your thoughts and well wishes – I’m doing fine and will continue to strictly follow the advice of health authorities.

‘To our wonderful NSW Health staff, who continue to do an amazing job in these challenging times, thank you for your support and efforts keeping all of us safe and well.

‘Take care everyone.’    

The minister texted 2GB radio host Ben Fordham to reveal he caught the virus in the pizzeria.

‘I’ve just received a call from NSW Health, formally advising me that I am positive,’ the text read.

‘No doubt from the pizza joint I went to on Monday evening.’

Nationals MP and minister Mr Marshall (pictured) is asymptomatic and will now isolate for 14 days