Prime Minister Jean Castex tested positive for Covid-19 after one of his 11-year-old daughters tested positive earlier today, Monday, November 22, Matignon announced. The head of government forced himself into isolation and led the meeting scheduled for Monday, November 22 at 6 p.m. around the elected officials of Guadeloupe by videoconference. His entourage told franceinfo that he was suffering from “mild symptoms”. “His agenda will be adjusted in the coming days so that he can continue his activities while being in solitary confinement” for ten days, Matignon also said.
Jean Castex went to Brussels in the morning where he met his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo. After Matignon’s announcement, the Belgian Prime Minister has quarantined himself, his cabinet announced in the evening.
Four other members of the Belgian government, who also participated in a Franco-Belgian meeting on Monday morning on the subject of security, “will also pass a PCR test and remain in quarantine until the test result is negative”, said a statement. They are ministers Sophie Wilmès (Foreign Affairs), Ludivine Dedonder (Defense), Annelies Verlinden (Interior) and Vincent Van Quickenborne (Justice).
Jean Castex was initially to receive in Matignon, Monday at 6 p.m., part of the elected officials of Guadeloupe in order to allow them “to present their analysis of the situation on the spot”, surrounded by the interior ministers, Gérald Darmanin, overseas departments, Sébastien Lecornu, and health, Olivier Véran. The meeting was finally held by videoconference.
The Prime Minister had already been in contact with Covid-19 on two occasions: the first time after a dinner with Emmanuel Macron in December, following which the president had tested positive, then in June, after the wife of Jean Castex had contracted the disease. The head of government, who received two doses of the vaccine, has never tested positive.