French president Emmanuel Macron tests positive for coronavirus

Macron and several other European leaders who recently met him go into self-isolation

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, is the latest in a series of world leaders to test positive for Covid-19. Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA

Emmanuel Macron has been diagnosed with Covid-19 after developing symptoms, the Élysée Palace has announced, forcing several other European leaders who had recently met the French president into self-isolation.

In a brief statement on Thursday, the palace said Macron had a PCR test as soon as the symptoms had appeared and would “self-isolate for seven days in line with the health protocol applicable to everyone”.

The statement said the president, who is 42, would “continue to work and carry out his activities remotely”, but gave no further details of his condition. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an Élysée source said Macron was “feeling well”.

Several European leaders who have met Macron this week said after the announcement that they would be going into quarantine.

The office of the Portuguese prime minister, António Costa, who had a working lunch at the Élysée on Monday in the run-up to the Portuguese presidency of the EU, said he had cancelled all official meetings and trips and was awaiting the result of a test.

The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, who along with the president of the European council, Charles Michel, had lunch with Macron at the Elysée on Monday, suspended public activities and would be in quarantine until 24 December, his office said.

Michel tested negative on Tuesday but would self-isolate as a precaution, a council spokesman said in Brussels. A third guest, José Ángel Gurría, the secretary general of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, will do likewise.

Several French politicians were also affected. Macron presided over the weekly cabinet meeting on Wednesday, although French media reported that strict physical distancing rules were observed and there was thought to be little risk of infection.

The prime minister, Jean Castex, tested negative on Thursday but would self-isolate for seven days after having recently spent time in contact with Macron, his office said. The health minister, Olivier Véran, will present the government’s vaccination plan to the upper house of parliament in place of Castex.

The Guardian, UK