Joyce back in parliament after virus scare

Barnaby Joyce has sought medical advice on whether he's a close contact to a coronavirus case. (AAP)

Barnaby Joyce has returned to federal parliament after concerns he may have been a close contact of a person with coronavirus.

Leader of the House Peter Dutton on Thursday advised MPs the deputy prime minister was not attending Question Time while he sought medical advice.

But just minutes later Mr Joyce entered the House of Representatives chamber to take up his position in the prime minister's usual seat.

The Nationals leader did not address the issue when he answered a question from a government member.