Emmanuel Macron admits handshake gaffe as he tests positive for Covid-19
COVID-HIT Emmanuel Macron has said he made a mistake by shaking someone's hand before testing positive.
Emmanuel Macron tests positive for coronavirus
The French President, 42, admitted the error hours after it emerged he was ill – prompting a Europe-wide bid to trace others he may have infected. There were also claims Mr Macron had broken his government’s guidelines over only six people being allowed to sit down to a meal.
Mr Macron was forced to isolate for a week and his wife Brigitte, 67, is self-isolating.
It comes after a frantic week during which he was pictured shaking hands and embracing Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development chief Angel Gurria, 70.
He also embraced Portuguese premier Antonio Costa and dined with European Council leader Charles Michel, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex is also self-isolating after coming into contact with his boss, as are party leaders who had lunch with Mr Macron on Tuesday.
Meanwhile Boris Johnson, who recovered from the virus earlier this year, tweeted get-well wishes to Mr Macron in English and French.