French President Emmanuel Macron tested positive for Covid and will self-isolate for seven days, according to his office Thursday.
Macron's diagnosis was confirmed “as soon as the first symptoms appeared,” Elysee Palace said in a brief statement. “In accordance with the health instructions in force applicable to all, the President of the Republic will isolate himself for 7 days.”
Moreover, the statement says Macron will continue to work remotely. His 67-year-old wife, Brigitte, does not manifest any Covid symptoms but will also self-isolate, her office said.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex, 55, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, 48, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa, 59, and European Council President Charles Michel, 44, said they will undergo quarantine because they had interacted with Macron in recent days.
Sanchez explained that he would halt public activities through to Christmas Eve. Macron had a meeting with the OECD’s Angel Gurria. The French president conducted a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
France reported more Covid-19 infections than any other European nation and is behind only the U.S., India, Brazil, and Russia, respectively, for the highest number of infections worldwide.
Over 2.4 million people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in France, including 59,472 related deaths, based on the data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Macron relaxed a six-week ban on movement with an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew until mid-January, except for Christmas Eve.
The public health protocols order that museums, theaters, cinemas, bars, and restaurants all must not operate until January at least.
Macron is one of the world leaders to have contracted the virus this year, including U.S. President Donald Trump, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Johnson said he was sorry to hear that Macron tested positive for Covid and wished him a fast recovery.
In April, Johnson was admitted to the hospital after being on self-quarantine in his Downing St. residence.
In October, France became the epicenter of the second wave of infections, forcing the government to impose new restrictions.
France and Germany lockdown rules have been implemented to contain the spread of the virus as the number of France coronavirus cases continues to increase.
Macron announced France’s second lockdown until at least the end of November as France and Germany respond to new infections.
Under the new restrictions, people can only leave home for essential work or medical reasons. Non-essential establishments, such as restaurants and bars, will need to shut down. However, schools and factories will remain open.
According to Macron, the country risked being “overwhelmed by a second wave that no doubt will be harder than the first."
A nationwide overnight curfew from 8 p.m. remains in effect to stop the spread of the virus while restaurants and cafes, as well as theaters and cinemas, are still closed.
Official data showed that more than 59,300 people have died in France of coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic.
Prime Minister Jean Castex said Wednesday the country will have over 1.16 million Covid-19 vaccine doses before the year ends.
