Ursula von der Leyen in isolation after contact with Covid-19-infected person
5 October 2020, 13:54
The European Commission president says she has tested negative.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says she has placed herself in isolation after being in contact with a person infected with coronavirus.
In a message posted on Twitter, the head of the EU’s executive arm said she took part in a meeting last Tuesday that was attended by “a person who yesterday tested positive”.
Her office announced she tested negative on Monday but that she would remain in quarantine until Tuesday in accordance with Belgian health precautions.
Also on Monday morning, Research Commissioner Mariya Gabriel also announced she was self-isolating after a member of her team had tested positive.
“Pending test results, myself and my whole team are self-isolating in line with public health protocols and working from home. I feel well and have no symptoms,” Ms Gabriel said in a Twitter message.
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
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 5, 2020
Ms Von der Leyen, who attended a two-day summit of EU leaders in Brussels late last week, said she will be in quarantine until Tuesday morning.
Her isolation will keep her close to work, however. She has a small living quarters next to her office in the EU headquarters in Brussels.
Two weeks ago, EU Council president Charles Michel was forced to postpone a summit of EU leaders because he was quarantining.
Ms Von der Leyen took part last Tuesday in a special meeting of Portugal’s state council in the coastal town of Cascais, on the outskirts of Lisbon. State councillor Antonio Lobo Xavier tested positive for the virus on Sunday.
The meeting was attended physically by 15 of the 19 members of the president’s advisory body.
Portugal’s president, prime minister and the parliamentary president and five state councillors were tested on Sunday and were negative, media reported.
More tests are taking place on Monday.
