French President Emmanuel Macron Tests Positive for COVID-19

French President Emmanuel Macron Tests Positive for COVID-19

French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, his office said Thursday morning.

The Elysee Palace announced the development in a statement, saying the president took a rapid PCR test, with the results coming out positive. He took the test after experiencing mild symptoms of the virus.

“In accordance with the health instructions in force, applicable to all, the President of the Republic will isolate himself for seven days. He will continue to work and carry out his activities remotely,” the statement added.

In mid-October, first lady Brigitte Macron also tested positive for coronavirus and then isolated herself for a full two-week period, which was then in force.

Macron joins a growing list of major world leaders who have contracted the virus, including US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, both of whom successfully recovered.

The statement did not mention whether Mr Macron’s wife Brigitte, who is 67, had also tested positive.

Earlier this week, France eased national lockdown restrictions imposed to tackle its second wave of the pandemic.

However, infection rates still remain high and a daily 20:00-06:00 curfew was imposed. The new measures have forced restaurants, cafes, theatres and cinemas to close.

On Wednesday, France registered more than 17,700 new cases.

French President Emmanuel Macron Tests Positive for COVID-19