Scott Morrison coughs into his elbow during a Russia-Ukraine press conference after catching Covid


Scott Morrison coughed into his elbow during a press conference hours before he tested positive to Covid.

The Prime Minister was filmed spluttering when Defence Minister Peter Dutton was addressing the media shortly after 12.30pm on Tuesday. 

Mr Morrison had returned a negative rapid test before the presser where he announced Australia would send missiles to help Ukraine fight off Russia’s invasion.

The Prime Minister was filmed spluttering when Defence Minister Peter Dutton (pictured together on Tuesday) was addressing the media shortly after 12.30pm

The Prime Minister was filmed spluttering when Defence Minister Peter Dutton (pictured together on Tuesday) was addressing the media shortly after 12.30pm

Later that afternoon another rapid test was inconclusive so he took a more sensitive PCR test which came back positive.

Mr Morrison was meant to be attending an event in Sydney to light up the Opera House with Ukraine’s colours at 8pm. 

At 7.36pm – just 24 minutes before – Mr Morrison’s spin doctors told reporters he was pulling out but did not say why.  

At 11.24pm the PM explained in a statement on his Facebook page that he had Covid and would be isolating with his daughters and wife Jenny, who have tested negative.

It is not clear where Mr Morrison caught the illness. The Omicron variant, which is dominant in Australia normally incubates for about three days before symptoms show up.

On Sunday the PM had attended a service at St Andrew’s Ukrainian Church in Lidcombe where he met with several Ukrainians including 99-year-old Klara Djachenko.

On Sunday Mr Morrison had attended a service at St Andrew's Ukrainian Church in Lidcombe where he met with several Ukrainians including 99-year-old Klara Djachenko (left) whose hand he shook

On Sunday Mr Morrison had attended a service at St Andrew’s Ukrainian Church in Lidcombe where he met with several Ukrainians including 99-year-old Klara Djachenko (left) whose hand he shook

The statement said Mr Morrison had tested positive to Covid-19 and is ‘experiencing flu-like symptoms’. 

It went on to say he ‘will be recovering over the next week’.

Mr Morrison said he had tested himself daily since Sunday, including on Tuesday morning, ‘with all tests returning a negative result’.

‘I took a further test this evening after developing a fever late today. The test was inconclusive so I took a PCR test tonight which returned a positive result late this evening,’ he said. 

Scott Morrison (right) with his wife Jenny (second left) and their daughters. Mr Morrison has tested positive for Covid-19

Scott Morrison (right) with his wife Jenny (second left) and their daughters. Mr Morrison has tested positive for Covid-19

Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce also contracted Covid-19, while on a visit to Washington DC, late last year.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton tested positive to Covid early in the pandemic. 

Billionaire businessman Clive Palmer, who is running for the Senate in Queensland on the United Australia Party ticket, tested positive to Covid and pneumonia last week. 

Mr Palmer is unvaccinated and an outspoken opponent of Covid-19 vaccinations.  

Scott Morrison's statement on Twitter that he has tested positive for Covid-19

Scott Morrison’s statement on Twitter that he has tested positive for Covid-19

The Prime Minister said he will continue to carry out his responsibilities while in isolation, ‘including virtually chairing meetings of the National Security and Expenditure Review Committees of Cabinet’.

He said he would also be focusing on the ’emergency response to the devastating floods in Queensland and New South Wales and ensuring we stand with each and every one of the affected communities both now and as the waters eventually recede’.

Mr Morrison also referred to ‘our urgent response to the tragedy unfolding in the Ukraine and Russia’s senseless aggression’.

He said he would be staying in regular contact with Australia’s ‘security and intelligence officials and our international partners, as well as working with the Treasurer to finalise the Budget’. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is briefed on the flooding disaster in Queensland and NSW in the National Situation Room at Emergency management Australia in Canberra

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is briefed on the flooding disaster in Queensland and NSW in the National Situation Room at Emergency management Australia in Canberra

Mr Morrison had been expected to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky on Tuesday night, but it is not known if this phone call went ahead, given Mr Morrison’s sudden illness. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Prime Minister’s office with a number of questions about the situation.  

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Morrison called Russia ‘a pariah state’ as he announced a $105million aid package for Ukraine.

Australia will send $70million worth of defensive supplies to Ukraine, the vast majority of which is lethal aid including missiles and bullets to help fend off Russia’s invasion.

A further $35million will be sent to provide shelter, food and water for hundreds of thousands of women and children who have become refugees after fleeing the warzone. 

Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny light a candle in support of Ukraine during a vigil at St Andrews Ukrainian Church in Sydney on February 27, 2022

Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny light a candle in support of Ukraine during a vigil at St Andrews Ukrainian Church in Sydney on February 27, 2022

‘This will be our opening contribution. We expect over time there will be further requests and we will be addressing those as time goes on,’ he said.

‘We’re talking missiles, ammunition, we are talking about supporting them in their defence of their homeland. The overwhelming majority of that will be in the lethal category.’ 

Is was also announced on Tuesday that Australia will take in thousands of Ukrainian refugees who have escaped their homeland after Russia invaded.

Mr Morrison said he is working on a temporary protection scheme similar to the one deployed during the Kosovo War.

In April 1999, Australia created ‘safe haven’ visas for about 4,000 Kosovars. Nearly all of them stayed for less than a year and returned home when the war ended. 

‘We should not make the mistake thinking that every person who is seeking to leave Ukraine does not want to return to their home country,’ Mr Morrison said.

Scott Morrison speaks following a service by Reverend Simon Ckuj at St Andrew's Ukrainian Catholic Church, Lidcombe on February 27, 2022

Scott Morrison speaks following a service by Reverend Simon Ckuj at St Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Lidcombe on February 27, 2022

‘I have no doubt hundreds of thousands, if not more, will want to return to their home country. 

‘That’s where their family is, that’s where their lives are and we want to ensure that those things are not taken from them.’

Mr Morrison said more than 500,000 Ukrainians have fled their country and 160,000 more are on the move. 

Alongside the temporary protection programme, Australia will also offer permanent humanitarian visas to some Ukrainians.

But Mr Morrison said the number of places available will be worked out later because the demand ‘is not very clear’ at the moment.

‘We will address that in partnership with other agencies when we get to that point. And if that requires supplementing our existing program, just like with the Afghanistan program we’re currently working on, then we will,’ he said.

SCOTT MORRISON’S STATEMENT ON HIS COVID-19 ILLNESS IN FULL 

Tonight I tested positive to COVID-19.

I am experiencing flu-like symptoms and will be recovering over the next week.

I had tested myself daily since Sunday, including this morning, with all tests returning a negative result.

I took a further test this evening after developing a fever late today. The test was inconclusive so I took a PCR test tonight which returned a positive result late this evening.

I am continuing to follow health guidelines and am isolating at home in Sydney.

Jenny and the girls have thankfully tested negative but will isolate for seven days at home as close contacts.

While in isolation I will continue to discharge all my responsibilities as Prime Minister, including virtually chairing meetings of the National Security and Expenditure Review Committees of Cabinet, focusing on our emergency response to the devastating floods in Queensland and New South Wales, and ensuring we stand with each and every one of the affected communities both now and as the waters eventually recede.

I will also be focused on our urgent response to the tragedy unfolding in the Ukraine and Russia’s senseless aggression, staying in regular contact with our security and intelligence officials and our international partners, as well as working with the Treasurer to finalise the Budget.

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