International

French President Macron tests positive for coronavirus

French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19, his office confirmed in a statement on Thursday.

Macron’s official residence, the Élysée Palace, said the president was tested after he began showing symptoms.

Macron will isolate for seven days and plans to work remotely. All of his planned appearances and trips have been canceled, including a visit to Lebanon. 

Macron met with Portugal’s prime minister, António Costa, and held a joint press conference on Wednesday. The men were seen in close contact, although they were both wearing face masks. 

Costa tweeted Thursday that he is isolating following the news of Macron testing positive for COVID-19.

Spanish President Pedro Sanchez met with Macron in Paris on Monday, and he is also isolating.

Brigitte Macron, the wife of the president, is also in isolation. She reportedly was not experiencing any coronavirus symptoms as of early Thursday morning.

Other French officials, including Prime Minister Jean Castex, are also quarantining following the announcement, The Associated Press reported.

Last week, Macron attended a European Council meeting in Brussels, which included the leaders of all 26 member states in the organization.

The European Commission said Thursday that its president, Ursula Von Der Leyen, is not isolating following the news of Macron testing positive for COVID-19, NBC News reported,