Rep. Matt Gaetz Says He Will Self-Quarantine Over Possible Coronavirus Exposure

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) (C), House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) (L), and other Republican House members in the Capitol Visitor Center on Oct. 23, 2019. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) became the fourth GOP congressman to self-quarantine after possibly being exposed to the COVID-19 coronavirus at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

“Congressman Gaetz was informed today that he came into contact with a CPAC attendee 11 days ago who tested positive for COVID-19,” a statement posted on his Twitter account said.

Gaetz traveled on Air Force One on Monday, but said he is not currently experiencing symptoms of the new virus.

Gaetz “received testing today and expects results soon,” added his office. “Under doctor’s usual precautionary recommendations, he'll remain self-quarantined until the 14-day period expires this week.”

Last week, the Florida Republican posted a photo of himself wearing a gas mask while evaluating a congressional spending package to fight COVID-19.

His office acknowledged that he wore the mask, saying: “Congressman Gaetz had expected COVID-19 to impact Congress, given the elevated frequency of travel and human contact, and demonstrated his concern last week on the House Floor.”

In another statement, Gaetz said his office in Washington is closed but his office in Florida is still open.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) have also self-quarantined after interacting with the COVID-19 patient during CPAC in Maryland.

“This afternoon, I was notified by CPAC that they discovered a photo of myself and the patient who has tested positive for coronavirus,” Collins said in a statement on Monday. “While I feel completely healthy and I am not experiencing any symptoms, I have decided to self-quarantine at my home for the remainder of the 14-day period out of an abundance of caution.”

Over the weekend, CPAC’s organizer said one of its attendees tested positive for the virus, which has symptoms including a cough, fever, and shortness of breath. That person is now under quarantine in New Jersey.

“A New Jersey hospital tested the person, and CDC confirmed the positive result,” the organizer wrote in a statement. “The health and safety of our attendees and participants is our top priority,” a statement read. “Any attendee who has questions can contact ACU or the Department of Health for the State of Maryland.”