‘I feel free!’ Richard Wilkins returns to hosting Weekend Today after 18 days of self-isolation with COVID-19
Richard Wilkins has returned to his hosting duties on Weekend Today after 18 days in self-isolation with COVID-19.
The entertainment reporter, 65, was in good spirits as he hosted the show on Saturday after testing negative to coronavirus a few days earlier.
Writing on his Nine blog on Friday, Richard said: ‘To step out the front gate and actually feel free, to get in the car and go somewhere, was a weird feeling.
‘I feel free!’ Richard Wilkins (pictured) returns to hosting Weekend Today after 18 days of self-isolation with COVID-19
‘For my first proper foray, I actually headed to work at Channel Nine, and on my way back I picked up some groceries from the supermarket.
‘It was nice to be able to do that for myself, after relying on the generosity and thoughtfulness of friends and family, although I think I scared a few people in the deli section at Woolies until I advised them that I has been given the all-clear.’
He said he spent his time in self-isolation by keeping busy and developing a routine, filling his time with having long and deep conversations with friends, which he said was a ‘beautiful by-product’.
On Weekend Today, Richard presented several COVID-19 segments and at one point interviewed Ricky Gervais’ wife Jane Moor about the London’s coronavirus lockdown.
Lockdown expert: On Weekend Today, Richard presented several COVID-19 segments and at one point interviewed Ricky Gervais’ wife Jane Moor about London’s coronavirus lockdown
Get in the bin! Richard announced that he tested negative on Tuesday with an Instagram video in which he angrily tosses an empty Corona beer box inside a recycling bin
Richard self-isolated for 18 days after testing positive for COVID-19 three times.
He announced that he tested negative last week with an Instagram video angrily tosses an empty Corona beer box inside a bin at her Sydney home.
In the accompanying caption he wrote: ‘Coronavirus, you’re outta here! I’ve been cleared to return to work by the incredible team at NSW Health.’
He was seen leaving his house for the first time on Wednesday morning after testing negative the previous evening.
A Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday: ‘He’s been given the all clear by health authorities to go back to work.’
Famous friends: Richard went into self-isolation on March 12 shortly after it was revealed that Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive for coronavirus. He is pictured with Rita backstage at the Opera House
Richard went into self-isolation on March 12 shortly after it was revealed that American actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive for coronavirus.
Richard had met Rita twice; once backstage at the Sydney Opera House and once during her Today Extra interview on March 9.
He first tested positive for COVID-19 on March 15 and got the same result for two more tests until Tuesday’s all-clear from NSW Health.
As of Sunday morning, there have been 5,552 cases of coronavirus in Australia, which have resulted in 30 deaths.
Pandemic: As of Sunday morning, there have been 5,552 cases of coronavirus in Australia, which have resulted in 30 deaths