French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, the presidency said, adding that he would now self-isolate for the next week.
The Presidency in a statement said, “The president tested positive for COVID-19 today,” adding that he had been tested after the “onset of the first symptoms”.
Macron will now, in accordance with national regulations, “self-isolate for seven days. He will continue to work and carry out his activities remotely,” according to the statement.
The French president joins the league of world leaders, who have tested positive for COVID-19, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump.
France had earlier this week eased restrictions imposed to battle the second wave of the coronavirus, but infection rates remain high.
There is still a nationwide overnight curfew from 8 pm to halt the spread of the virus, while restaurants and cafes, as well as theatres and cinemas, remain closed.
Over 59,300 people have died in France of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, according to official figures.
And the recording of over 17,000 new cases on Wednesday alone has also generated concern as people shop and travel more intensely ahead of 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 COVID-19 vaccine doses by year-end.
