German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in quarantine after a doctor who gave her a vaccine tested positive for coronavirus.
Ms Merkel was informed about the doctor’s test shortly after holding a news conference Sunday about new measures to curb the spread of the virus, her spokesman Steffen Seibert said.
In a statement, Mr Seibert said the chanceller had received a precautionary vaccine Friday against pneumococcal infection.
He added the 65-year-old would work from home for the time being and undergo “regular tests” for COVID-19 in the coming days.
It comes as US Senator Rand Paul posted on twitter that he has tested positive for the illness- the first US senator to say they have caught it.
In the conference Ms Merkel held shortly before being told about the doctor’s diagnosis, she announced a nationwide ban on public meetings of more than two people outside of work.
She said the ban would be in place for at least two weeks.
Under the stricter rules, Ms Merkel announced restaurants will be restricted to takeaway.
She added that hairdressers – as well as beauty, massage and tattoo parlours – must close.
The chanceller expressed gratitude to Germans who were following the social distancing rule of staying at least 1.5 metres apart.
“Thank you. I know it means making sacrifices, both personal and economic,” Ms Merkel said.
“I am very moved that so many people are obeying the rules. That’s how we show that we care for older people and the sick, for whom the virus is the most dangerous. In short, that’s how we save lives.”
“The great aim is to gain time in the fight against the virus.”
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