ABC NEWS BREAKFAST team off-air due to COVID concern

The ABC has taken the precaution of isolating its News Breakfast presentation team after a relative of a crew member tested positive to COVID-19

Hosts, Lisa Millar and Michael Rowland, weather presenter Nate Byrne, and a number of crew members have been ordered to self-isolate after the wife of the programs floor manager found out yesterday afternoon she had tested positive for COVID-19.

Madeleine Morris, Ben Knight and Georgie Tunny will News Breakfast while the regular team are off-air

The ABC is yet to confirm how long the presenters will be required to isolate, a statement indicated it could be “a few days”. The floor manager has now taken a COVID test and is awaiting results.

Presenter Georgie Tunny has been working from an isolated studio throughout the COVID situation so that she would remain available to work if an infection occurred in the main studio.

Sports presenter Paul Kennedy has also been isolating at home for much of the crisis, but recently worked from the main studio for two weeks while Michael Rowland took a break from the program.

The ABC has indicated it is taking every health precaution to manage the situation including deep cleaning.

“The ABC wants to take the extra precaution for the wellbeing of everyone who works here, and in the interests of public safety.

Our thoughts are with our employee and his wife at this worrying time and we are giving them all the support we can.”