“This afternoon my wife Megan and I were contacted by the Virginia Department of Health to share details with us about the illness of a friend who tested positive for COVID-19 after dining with us,” Beyer said in a statement. Beyer and his wife meet with their friend during a dinner on February 28. The Virginia Department of Health informed Beyer that the individual tested positive for the virus shortly after their contact.
According to Politico’s Jake Sherman, Beyer had attended a House Democratic press briefing Tuesday morning with several reporters. Sherman noted that Beyer had also attended a closed-door meeting with Democratic colleagues today.
Newsweek reached out to Beyer’s office for additional information.
Beyer says neither he nor his wife have displayed any symptoms related to the virus.
“Representing Northern Virginians is an honor and privilege which I love, and I especially hate to be away from the Capitol at this time of national crisis,” the congressman said. “But I feel strongly that one of the most important contributions people in positions of leadership can make at such times is to share the best advice from experts, and where necessary, to model it in our behavior.”
Beyer’s office will be closed for the week. The congressman has been advised by medical professionals to remain under quarantine until Monday, according to local outlets. He will not attend any votes until then.
Beyer joins a growing list of U.S. politicians who are now undergoing a self-quarantine period over coronavirus concerns. Representatives Doug Collins of Georgia, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Mark Meadows of North Carolina and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas are all under self-quarantine after having come into contact with an individual at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) who later tested positive for COVID-19.
Democratic Congresswoman Julia Brownley of California announced on Monday that she will begin self-quarantine after an individual she had recently met with recently was tested positive for the new disease.
Their exposures to the virus have led to calls for D.C. lawmakers to remain at home until the outbreak is contained. However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dismissed the notion. “We are the captains of the ship. We are the last to leave,” she reportedly told Democrats in a closed-door meeting.
