French President Emmanuel Macron in a protective face mask watches as he makes a statement next to Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas after their meeting at the Elysee Palace on October 28, 2020 in Paris, France.
Chesnot | Getty Images News | Getty Images
LONDON – According to a statement from the French Presidency, French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19.
The diagnosis was made “as soon as the first symptoms appeared,” Macron’s office said Thursday. The brief statement did not provide further details about the symptoms the president had experienced.
“In accordance with the health instructions that apply to everyone, the president of the republic will isolate himself for seven days.”
Macron, who turns 43 next week, will continue to work remotely, the statement said.
Prime Minister Jean Castex, 55, will also isolate himself, officials said, after coming into contact with Macron in recent days.
The French president is one of many world leaders who have tested positive for the coronavirus this year, including US President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
France has registered more cases of the coronavirus than any other European country and is only behind the US, India, Brazil and Russia respectively for the highest number of infections worldwide.
To date, more than 2.4 million people have contracted Covid-19 in France, with 59,472 related deaths, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University.
Earlier this week, Macron replaced a six-week movement ban with a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. until mid-January (with the exception of Christmas Eve).
Public health measures stipulate that museums, theaters, cinemas, bars and restaurants should all remain closed until at least January.
French ski resorts also remain closed, but Macron has said the hugely popular tourist spots could reopen “under favorable conditions” from next month.