EU Leaders Self-isolate After French President Macron Tests Positive for Covid-19

Several European leaders are self-isolating after the French President, Emmanuel Macron, tested positive for Covid-19.

Macron will self-isolate for seven days while working remotely, the Elysée Palace said in a statement. He attended a number of high-profile events in recent days, including an EU summit.

Following his diagnosis several other European leaders, including the Spanish PM, said they would self-isolate.

Macron’s wife Brigitte Macron, who is 67, is self-isolating but has no symptoms.

It is not yet known how Macron caught the virus but his office said it was identifying any recent close contacts he has had.

Among those going into self-isolation are European Council chief Charles Michel, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, all of whom met President Macron this week.

Sanchez has tested negative but, like Macron, will work remotely from quarantine.

Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa has cancelled all official trips, and is isolating and awaiting test results, after a working lunch in Paris with President Macron on Wednesday.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Xavier Bettel too are self-isolating following contact with the French president.

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has tested negative for Covid-19 but will limit his contacts, a spokesperson said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel wore a mask at the summit and tested negative for the virus on Tuesday, German officials said after hearing the news about President Macron.

A French presidential spokeswoman confirmed that all of Macron’s forthcoming trips, including a scheduled visit to Lebanon on 22 December, had been cancelled.

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