PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19 today, the presidency said in a statement, adding that he will now self-isolate for the next week.
It also said that he had been tested after the “onset of the first symptoms”.
Macron will now, in accordance with national regulations, “self-isolate for seven days. He will continue to work and carry out his activities remotely”, it said.
The French president is one of several heads of state and government around the world who have contracted Covid-19, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump.
Due to contact with the president, French Prime Minister Jean Castex will self-isolate as well, his office said in a statement today.
Castex shows no symptoms, but will no longer be going to the French Senate today to outline his government's vaccine strategy to combat Covid-19.
France earlier this week eased restrictions imposed to battle the second wave of the coronavirus, but infection rates remain high.
There is still a nationwide overnight curfew from 8pm to halt the spread of the virus while restaurants and cafes as well as theatres and cinemas remain closed.
Over 59,300 people have died in France of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to official figures.
The recording of over 17,000 new cases yesterday alone has also generated concern as people shop and travel more intensely ahead of the Christmas holidays.
Like other EU states, France is pinning its hopes on a vaccine to quell the virus, and Prime Minister Jean Castex said yesterday that the country will receive around 1.16 million Covid-19 vaccine doses by year end. – AFP, December 17, 2020
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