[ad_1]
Emmanuel Macron.
LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images
- Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19 after the appearance of the first symptoms.
- The French president said that he would now isolate himself for the next week and continue to work remotely.
- Macron is one of several heads of state and government around the world who have contracted the virus.
French President Emmanuel Macron tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday, the presidency said, adding that he will now self-isolate himself for the next week.
“The president tested positive for Covid-19 today,” he said in a statement, adding that they had done so after “the appearance of the first symptoms.”
Macron now, according to national regulations, “will isolate himself for seven days. He will continue to work and carry out his activities remotely,” he 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.
France earlier this week eased restrictions imposed to fight the second wave of the coronavirus, but infection rates remain high.
There is still a nationwide nighttime curfew starting at 8pm to stop the spread of the virus, while restaurants and cafes as well as theaters and cinemas remain closed.
More than 59,300 people have died in France from coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, according to official figures.
The record of more than 17,000 new cases on Wednesday alone has also raised concern, as people shop and travel more heavily before 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 on Wednesday that the country will receive around 1.16 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine by the end. of year.
Do you want to know more about this topic? Sign up to receive one of 33 News24 newsletters to receive the information you want in your inbox. There are special newsletters available to subscribers.
