Sydney COVID-19 scare: Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Nationals MLC Trevor Khan forced into 14-day isolation

Health authorities ordered politicians who attended a Nationals state budget dinner in Sydney on Tuesday to isolate until July 6.

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson and Nationals MLC Trevor Khan have been ordered to get tested and isolate, while Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has tested positive for the virus.

Member for New England Barnaby Joyce also had a brief COVID-19 scare and momentarily went into quarantine during Question Time on Thursday while he sought medical advice.

Minutes later, Mr Joyce returned after he was told he was not a close contact of a case.

In Tamworth, Mr Anderson made a quick exit from a regional housing forum on Thursday morning after he received news Northern Tablelands MP and fellow Nationals Minister Adam Marshall had tested positive for coronavirus.

At this stage, Mr Anderson said he feels "completely fine" and is taking public health orders seriously.

"When I got word that Adam Marshall had tested positive I immediately left the breakfast and drove straight to a testing station and isolated as a precaution," he said.

"I've been saying all along that we still need to be cautious, and if anyone is concerned they should get tested and self-isolate."

While Mr Anderson attended the state budget function, he maintains he did not come into contact with Mr Marshall at the dinner and is not considered a close contact.

A Tamworth staff member who was in Sydney for the budget announcement with Mr Anderson has also been tested for the virus and is in self-isolation.

It's otherwise business as usual for the local office, while Mr Anderson's Sydney staff are in isolation awaiting test results.

Nationals MLC Trevor Khan has been identified as a close contact of Mr Marshall's, after the pair went to a Sydney pizza restaurant together on Monday night.

He told the Leader he has no symptoms, has so far tested negative and is feeling well but must remain in isolation for 14 days.

"Even if I had the choice to come back to Tamworth I would not be in the town ... I think it would be unfair on the town in these circumstances to be there," he said.

"We are not in a lockdown and nor do we need to be, but we need to take the medical advice that's received and in my case it was to sit in my unit, not go outside and cool my heels."

Mr Khan had his first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine on June 15, and said the Sydney outbreak reinforces that the only way forward through the pandemic is for people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Mr Anderson praised the state government's efforts to try to control the outbreak even though 11 new cases had been identified by 12:30pm on Thursday.

"As new information came to light the government moved appropriately to tighten restrictions," he said.

"We have seen in the past the very good work the government and NSW Health have done, everyone is erring on the side of caution and taking appropriate action.

"I sincerely hope it doesn't get any worse and that people do the right thing and we can contain this."

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall told the Leader on Thursday afternoon that he felt physically okay and was grateful he had not brought the virus back to his electorate.

At least 48,000 people have been tested in the 24 hours to 8pm last night and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she needed to see those numbers come up.

"The situation regarding me in Parliament House, I was interviewed by NSW Health and it was deemed I was a casual contact," she said.

"I was tested and returned a negative test, and I will continue to follow health advice.

"This is perhaps the scariest period NSW is going through."

No lockdowns or further restrictions have been imposed as of 12:30pm today, despite the premier arguing it was one of the most concerning variants the state had faced since the start of the pandemic.

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson is in isolation at home after NSW Health officials warned him he could have been exposed to COVID-19 at an event in Sydney.

Mr Anderson, who is also the Minister for Better Regulation, left a regional housing forum in Tamworth early this morning to be tested for coronavirus.

A spokesman for Mr Anderson has confirmed he was at an event also attended by Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, who has since tested positive for COVID-19.

"As a precaution, Kevin has gone to be tested and isolate prior to receiving advice from NSW Health," he said.

"He left the housing forum and went for a test at around 8am this morning when the news of Mr Marshall's positive result broke and is currently isolating at home.

"Kevin left Sydney yesterday and has been at home since."

Key stakeholders in the real estate, development and social housing industries along with Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) directors were asked to make sure they had checked into the Powerhouse Hotel under the "remote" chance Mr Anderson was exposed to the virus.

Mr Anderson attended the forum on Thursday morning but he was not required to isolate upon his return from Sydney because he was going home.

A spokesman said he is not considered a close contact of Mr Marshall by health authorities.

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On Wednesday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian gave a direction to regional politicians to stay home once they left Sydney following the announcement of greater restrictions as the city grapples with a COVID outbreak.

Mr Marshall is in isolation in Sydney after his positive test result was confirmed on Thursday morning.

He has released a statement thanking the public for their well-wishes.

"I have been in isolation in Sydney since late Tuesday night, when I received a text message from NSW Health advising of my attendance at a close contact venue on Monday evening, and the need to present for testing," he said.

"I'm doing fine and will continue to strictly follow the advice of health authorities."

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