By Haruna Gimba
President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19, the country’s presidency said, the development sent at least two fellow leaders as well as other top French officials into self-isolation.
Macron is one of several world leaders who have contracted COVID-19, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump.
“Macron was tested after the onset of the first symptoms and will now, in accordance with national regulations, self isolate for seven days. He will continue to work and carry out his activities remotely,” his office said in a statement.
The result comes at a tricky time for Macron as he seeks to handle the pandemic crisis in his own country while keeping a close eye on talks for a Brexit trade deal and a host of other international issues.
Macron had notably attended an EU summit in Brussels last week and also on Monday was personally present at a conference in Paris organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, who was also present in Paris for that meeting, has entered self-isolation, his spokesman said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who was also there, is going into quarantine, his office said.
As result of the diagnosis, a trip next week by Macron to Lebanon, where the president had been pressing for far-reaching political change after the giant Beirut port explosion in August, has been cancelled, his office said.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex will self-isolate after contact with Macron, his office said.
It said the premier shows no symptoms but will no longer be going to the French Senate on Thursday to outline his government’s vaccine strategy to combat COVID-19.
Macron’s wife Brigitte will also be self-isolating but also shows no symptoms, her office said.
Parliament speaker Richard Ferrand is also self-isolating after contact with Macron, his office said.
