The French government on Thursday announced that French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19. The results were confirmed after the 42-year-old took a PCR test after exhibiting symptoms. “In accordance with current health regulations applicable to all, the President of the Republic will isolate himself for seven days. He continues to work and carry out his activities remotely.” The President has decided to cancel all his forthcoming trips, including a scheduled visit to Lebanon.
Macron is the latest world leader to become infected with the Covid virus. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the US President Donald Trump have also had their tryst with the virus. On December 3, former French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing died at the age of 94 after contracting Covid-19.
Meanwhile, French President Jean Castex said on Wednesday that the people in France could start receiving the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech in the last week of December if European Union authorities approve it next week. Like many other European countries, France has been battling a resurgence of the Coronavirus pandemic in recent weeks.
France reported 17,615 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the biggest spike in Covid-19 count since November 21. The country has been severely affected by coronavirus pandemic. It has registered 2,409,062 cases since the outbreak. Although a six-week ban on movement was lifted on Tuesday, France has imposed a night curfew till mid-January.
Meanwhile, while some European countries are tightening restrictions over the coming weeks, others are relaxing them over Christmas. Spain has reported 11,000 new cases in the last 24 hours. While the Spanish government has agreed on a series of Christmas restrictions, Denmark’s Prime Minister on Wednesday said that the country would shut malls and shops over the upcoming holidays as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise. In Germany, schools and non-essential shops will be closed throughout Christmas and New Year. While restrictions have been eased ahead of Christmas after Austria came out of its second national lockdown on December 7, Rome is expected to impose a “red zone” lockdown from Christmas Eve until at least January 2.
