Coronavirus: Matt Gaetz tests negative day after travelling with Trump on Air Force One

Congressman Matt Gaetz has tested negative for the coronavirus, hours after he detailed the lengths he went to to keep himself safe.

Mr Gaetz was travelling on Air Force One with Donald Trump on Monday when he went into self-isolation after receiving news a constituent he took a picture with on 27 February had tested positive for Covid-19.

The Florida congressman was a late addition to the flight, after Mr Trump had asked to discuss the ongoing issues in Florida in the aftermath of 2018’s Hurricane Michael, according to the Pensacola News Journal.

Mr Gaetz had also visited Trump’s hotel, Mar-a-Lago in the days leading up to the flight.

While he was self-isolated, Mr Gaetz still had the meeting with the president, giving verbal responses to his aide who asked him questions via paper that the congressman subsequently disposed of, reported the newspaper.

After getting off the plane,he said he was not able to stay in a hotel, in fear of infecting others, telling the Journal: “I slept in a Walmart parking lot somewhere off (Interstate) 85.”

Mr Gaetz tweeted on Tuesday that he has tested negative for Covid-19, but will continue to self-isolate until 2pm on Thursday like originally planned.

“I’ve just been informed that my COVID-19 lab result was negative. In an abundance of caution, I will remain under self-quarantine at the advice of medical professionals through Thursday at 2pm. I continue to feel fine and show no symptoms,” he tweeted.

Last week, the congressman was criticised for making light of the victims by wearing a gas mark to Congress, but tweeted his support for those attempting to combat Covid-19 on Tuesday.

“We appreciate the great folks working in the United States and around the world to combat this virus,” tweeted Mr Gaetz.

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