Emmanuel Macron, President of France, has tested positive for novel coronavirus on Thursday. The 42-year-old took a test after developing symptoms and will now isolate for seven days, the Elysée Palace said in a statement. Mr Macron "is still in charge" of running the country and will work remotely, said an official. Complying with the national regulations in France, Macron will now "self isolate for seven day". "He will continue to work and carry out his activities remotely," it said. All other meetings to be held via video-conference, the French Presidency said.
French President will cancel all his forthcoming trips, including a scheduled visit to Lebanon, after being diagnosed with COVID-19, a French presidency spokeswoman told Reuters.French Prime Minister Jean Castex confirmed the news. Prime Minister Jean Castex will also self isolate after coming into contact with Macron over the last few days, said Gerard Larcher, head of the Senate, the upper house of the French parliament. Castex shows no symptom but will no longer be going to the French Senate Thursday to outline his government's vaccine strategy to combat COVI-19, his office said in a statement. The French president is one of several heads of state and government around the world who have contracted Covid-19, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump.France earlier this week eased restrictions imposed to battle the second wave of the coronavirus but infection rates remain high.