The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen self-isolated after coming into contact with someone who later tested positive for coronavirus. Von de Leyen was tested negative for COVID-19 on Thursday and will be tested again on Monday.
Von der Leyen wrote on Twitter, “I’ve been informed that I participated in a meeting last Tuesday attended by a person who yesterday tested positive for COVID-19. In accordance with regulations in force, I’m therefore self-isolating until tomorrow morning. I’ve tested negative on Thursday & am tested again today.”
Von der Leyen being asked to isolate comes at a crucial point in Brexit negotiations, with the EU chief having agreed with Boris Johnson this weekend to work together towards a trade deal.
Coronavirus cases in Europe have been on the rise, new restriction and local lockdowns are being imposed. The Czech Republic recorded as many as 1,841 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday and is under a state of emergency for 30 days. French Prime Minister Jean Castex has declared the Greater Paris area to be classified as a ‘maximum alert’ zone. The UK reported a record high of 22,961 cases on Sunday and Italy reported 2,844 new cases on Saturday.
