Police investigating hoax messages sending MPs into mandatory quarantine

Several MPs of the ruling coalition received fake SMS messages sending them into mandatory quarantine due to contact with a person who tested positive for coronavirus. The hoax messages were uncovered due to the fact that one of the MPs was already ill with Covid and in isolation.

The incident is being linked to the ongoing debate in the lower house on amending the law on pandemics which would give the government more powers to order restrictions without the need for a state of emergency.

Several hundred people demonstrated against the bill outside the Office of the government this week and the opposition Freedom and Direct Democracy Party said it would obstruct the debate on the bill in order to prevent its approval by the governing parties who have a majority in the lower house. The hoax messages are being investigated by the police.