French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19. The 42 year-old leader will be isolating for seven days after developing early symptoms.
A statement by the presidential palace said: “He will continue to work and take care of his activities at a distance.”
Briggite Macron, his 67 year-old wife has also been self isolating, but is not currently showing any symptoms.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and EU chief Charles Michel are also self isolating after both men met with the French President on Monday as guests at the French Elysee Palace at an event marking the 60th anniversary of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
France has recently switched to a curfew system, replacing a six-week national lockdown as the country continues to tackle the coronavirus. The 8pm-6am curfew is expected to be in place until mid-January with the exception of Christmas Eve.
Museums, cinemas and theatres, as well as restaurants and cafes, will all be closed until at least January.
French ski resorts are expected to remain closed until January, after which they may open provided the virus has been brought under suitable control.
France has counted 2,409,000 cases of the virus since the start of the pandemic and 59,000 deaths. According to Worldometers.info, these numbers place France as the country with the fifth highest cases in the world.
The country experienced a severe second wave in October and November, at one point receiving 50 to 60 thousand cases a day.
Macron joins British Prime Minister Boris Johsnon, U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who are among serving world leaders who have contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic.
Vaccinations against the virus are set to begin across Europe beginning on December 27, with each receiving member state choosing the groups they prioritise.