EU leaders forced to isolate after Macron tests positive for virus
EMMANUEL MACRON tested positive for coronavirus yesterday – forcing leaders across Europe to self-isolate.
France’s president has been working remotely after going into quarantine in the Elysee Palace, and has cancelled planned trips, including a visit to Lebanon next Tuesday.
‘This diagnosis was made following a PCR test performed at the onset of the first symptoms,’ his office said. An aide said the 42-year-old has an active lifestyle and does not smoke.
The announcement prompted a Europe-wide track and trace effort – after Mr Macron joined all but two of the EU’s 27 leaders in Brussels last week.
He was seen mingling with German chancellor Angela Merkel, who has since tested negative, Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte and others, all in masks.
Mr Macron also had lunch with European Council president Charles Michel, Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez and economics chief Angel Gurria on Monday, then met Portugal’s PM Antonio Costa on Wednesday.
Mr Costa has self-isolated to await test results, but had no symptoms, his office said. Mr Sanchez’s office said he will quarantine until Christmas Eve, and Mr Michel and Mr Gurria have also entered isolation.
Spokesman Gabriel Attal said Mr Macron detected symptoms late on Wednesday – the same day he held a cabinet meeting, and two days after a debate with members of a citizens’ climate convention.
His wife Brigitte, 67, is also isolating, and French prime minister Jean Castex has gone into quarantine, but has tested negative.
Mr Macron’s illness came as postBrexit negotiations between the UK and EU neared a crunch point – with France saying it would rather veto a bad deal than sacrifice its fishermen.
Boris Johnson, who caught Covid in March, sent the president his best wishes, tweeting: ‘Sorry to hear my friend Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for coronavirus. We are all wishing you a speedy recovery.’