Rena Lalgie, the Governor, is separating from others for seven days after it emerged on Saturday that a close contact had tested positive for Covid-19.

The Governor will continue to work from home, but can now not attend the traditional Peppercorn Ceremony tomorrow, and the event will be rescheduled.

Referring to Ms Lalgie, a statement posted on the Government House Facebook page said “at this time she has not tested positive”.

The statement added: “The Governor will continue to work remotely but will not be attending any in-person events or meetings until the results of her day seven test.

“Government House is working with the Corporation of St George to reschedule the Peppercorn Ceremony which was due to take place on Wednesday, 20 April 2022.”

The annual Peppercorn Ceremony event sees the Freemasons of St George handing over a peppercorn rent for use of the State House, where the House of Assembly first sat permanently until the capital moved to Hamilton.

In 2020, the event was held six months late and transferred to Government House in October 2020 due to the Covid crisis.

The colourful gathering centres on the freemasons lodge paying a single peppercorn for use of the historic building in the former capital.

John Rankin, then governor, said at the 2020 ceremony that it was important that the tradition, which dates back to 1816, was kept alive, even though no crowds could attend that year.

In 2021, the ceremony was postponed at the last minute because of Covid-19 restrictions.