Macron tests positive for Covid-19, Castex to self isolate

French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19.

While disclosing this on Thursday December 17, 2020, the presidency stated that he would now self isolate for the next week.

“The president tested positive for Covid-19 today. He had been tested after the onset of the first symptoms,” the statement reads.

“Macron will now, in accordance with national regulations, “self isolate for seven days. He will continue to work and carry out his activities remotely,” the statement adds.

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.

A spokeswoman said that all Macron’s trips had been cancelled, including an upcoming visit to Lebanon on Dec. 22.

She added that he was trying to assess where he could have contracted the virus.

Macron was at a European Council heads of state meeting on Dec. 10-11.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex will also self isolate after contact with Macron, his office said Thursday.

Castex shows no symptom but will no longer be going to the French Senate Thursday to outline his government’s vaccine strategy to combat Covid-19, his office said in a statement.

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 8 pm to halt the spread of the virus while restaurants and cafes as well as theaters and cinemas remain closed.

Over 59,300 people have died in France of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, according to official figures.

The recording of over 17,000 new cases on Wednesday 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 Castex said Wednesday the country will receive around 1.16 million Covid-19 vaccine doses by year end.

Source: New Agencies