Ursula von der Leyen leaves EU summit after staffer tests positive for Covid-19

15 October 2020, 17:34

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Oliver Hoslet/AP)
Belgium EU Summit. Picture: PA

She stressed she had tested negative but would go into self-isolation as a precaution.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been forced to leave the EU summit shortly after it opened because one of her close staffers tested positive for Covid-19.

She said on Thursday that she herself tested negative, but “as a precaution I am immediately leaving the European Council to go into self-isolation”.

Ms Von der Leyen had already been mingling with other EU leaders before the formal opening of the two-day summit.

Organisers had taken special precaution to keep leaders apart and make sure they respect all health regulations.

By Press Association

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

South Korea Martial Law

Lawyers say detained South Korean president will refuse further questioning

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu: No Cabinet meeting until Hamas backs down on ‘last-minute crisis’

Saif Ali Khan

Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan stabbed multiple times in attempted robbery

Billy Ray Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus and Kid Rock to perform during Trump’s inauguration weekend

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan

Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan stabbed by intruder at his Mumbai home

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket lifting off from Launch Complex 36 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin launches new rocket on first test flight

A miner is transported on a stretcher by rescue workers

Death toll rises to 87 as stand-off between South African police and miners ends

A woman casts her ballot during Vanuatu’s snap election

Vanuatu holds snap election a month after powerful earthquake

Biden

Joe Biden warns of dangers of ‘oligarchy’ of ultra-rich running United States

Starmer is said to have discussed sending a peacekeeping force to Ukraine with Macron

UK in talks to 'put boots on the ground in Ukraine' as Starmer 'discusses peacekeeping force with Macron'

Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani first witness at trial over whether he keeps Florida home

Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed Hamas is backtracking on a key part of the ceasefire deal

Netanyahu accuses Hamas of reneging on Gaza ceasefire deal and causing ‘last-minute crisis’

Cuba American Embassy

Cuba freeing prisoners after the US said it would lift terror designation

President Joe Biden delivers his farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office of the White House on January 15, 2025

Biden warns ‘oligarchy taking shape in America’ and takes credit for Gaza ceasefire in final address as US president

Ceasefire Deal Reached In Israel-Gaza War, According To Various Officials

Ceasefire explained: What does the deal between Israel and Hamas mean?

Mideast Wars Takeaways

What does the ceasefire agreement mean for Israel, Hamas and the Middle East?