Douglas Ross is self-isolating after meeting a Tory MP this week who subsequently tested positive for covid.
The Scottish Conservatives leader had attended several events in Peterhead on Monday with Scotland Office minister David Duguid.
The MP had not shown any symptoms but decided to take a test after several cases of coronavirus were reported at his children's school.
Duguid received a positive result on Wednesday at 8.30am and immediately informed Ross, who was already in his Holyrood office preparing for the day ahead.
Parliament authorities informed the Scottish Conservatives of options available to Ross as he had not yet been contacted by Test and Protect.
The MSP decided the safest approach was to self-isolate at the Edinburgh hotel he has been staying in.
The Tories said Ross would be tested as soon as possible.
Five members of staff and four MSPs are also planning to take Covid tests as soon as possible, purely as a precaution.
A further two MSPs from another party have also been informed that they may wish to take a test as a precaution.
Ross was due in the Holyrood chamber on Wednesday afternoon to respond to an announcement from new SNP education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville.
He was also due to contribute to a debate on the government's economic response to covid.
The self isolation could rule Ross out of Thursday’s First Ministers Questions session in Holyrood, either because he records a positive test or because he may still be waiting for results.
The leader appointed Tory chief whip Stephen Kerr as a stand-in for him at the weekly session, although it is currently unclear if Kerr will take up the post, or the leader will appear virtually from self isolation.
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