Taoiseach Micheál Martin is in lockdown in Washington and is isolating for at least five days and likely won't leave until March 26 after testing positive for Covid-19.
According to America's public health guidelines, once a person tests positive for Covid-19, they can not travel for 10 days.
In a chaotic turn of events, Mr Martin was forced to cancel his trip to the White House on St Patrick’s Day and instead held a virtual meeting again with US President Joe Biden.
Mr Martin was staying at Blair House, the President's guest house - just across the road from President Biden in the White House.
Mr Martin said: “Last year, we met virtually across the Atlantic.
“This year, we're missing virtually across the road.
“So we're getting closer.
“I'm feeling good, and I think that reminds us of the importance of vaccines.
“But of course it is unfortunate.”
President Biden said he was "deeply sorry for the inconvenience" for the virtual meeting but said “you’re looking good and feeling good but looking forward to getting cleared as quickly as you can.”
A spokesman for the Taoiseach said Mr Martin will follow all “appropriate public health guidance.”
Mr Martin could be stuck in Washington DC for up to 10 days as America’s public health guidelines state that if a person tests positive for Covid-19, they should not travel until a full 10 days after their positive test.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines also outline that Mr Martin will have to isolate for at least five days.
The Taoiseach was whisked away from the Ireland Funds gala event late on Wednesday night right before he was expected to take to the stage to accept an international leadership award.
The Taoiseach’s delegation and Irish media were swabbed on Wednesday ahead of the planned visit to the White House on St Patrick’s Day.
Despite receiving a negative antigen test, Mr Martin was retested after a member of his delegation came back positive.
Mr Martin then tested positive on a PCR test and was alerted while at the gala in the National Buildings Museum with a crowd of 700 Irish-American people present.
Mr Martin was seated beside Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi at the Ireland Funds gala.
Ms Pelosi took to the stage to welcome Mr Martin but was unaware he had just received a positive Covid-19 test and believed he was on a call with world leaders.
The Irish ambassador to America, Dan Mulhall, accepted the award on behalf of the Taoiseach and broke the news that he had tested positive for Covid-19.
A spokesman for the Taoiseach said Mr Martin “is currently self-isolating on public health advice.”
The Fianna Fáil leader was continuing with his engagements virtually on Thursday.
Mr Martin will also miss the State’s national commemoration day for those who died from Covid-19 which will go-ahead on Sunday.
President Biden said he met with the Taoiseach at a distance for “seven and a half minutes” on Wednesday night at the Ireland Funds gala event.
He is not considered a close contact, the White House has said.
US President Joe Biden said “I love Ireland” and said he would love to come and visit when the Taoiseach reiterated the invitation to him.
Speaking to the Taoiseach who appeared on a screen in the Oval Office, President Biden commended the Irish people for taking in thousands of Ukrainian refugees, describing it as “amazing.”
The two leaders spoke of the war in Ukraine with President Biden saying Putin’s brutality and what his troops are doing in Ukraine is “inhumane.”
President Biden praised the Taoiseach and said his leadership on the global stage has really been noticeable and impressive.
President Biden said: “I want to say one thing while the press is here before they leave and that is what Ireland is doing now, what you are doing, taking in Ukrainian refugees, speaks so loudly about your principles.
“And it's amazing.
“I want to publicly compliment you for it.”
Irish media were watching the meeting on a live stream.
Mr Martin said: “I share with you our horror at the barbaric attack on the civilians of Ukraine and I want to take this opportunity to genuinely salute your leadership.
“It's firm. It's determined. It's strong.”
Mr Martin said that it’s “extremely important that we keep this unity of purpose over the coming while and Ireland stands ready to do everything we possibly can on [the] humanitarian front, and in supporting the broadest and widest sanctions possible to keep the pressure on and to get this war ended.”
A spokesman for the Taoiseach said the off camera bilateral meeting lasted for one hour.
The two leaders discussed the economy, the Good Friday Agreement, Brexit, Ukraine and the undocumented Irish.
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