coronavirus

COVID-19 scare - Von der Leyen self-isolates

Published

6 years ago

October 5, 2020

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at 8:58 via Twitter today (5 October) that she is in self-isolation until tomorrow morning, after being informed that she was in contact with someone who has subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.

“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.”

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

Workaholic Von der Leyen had a section of the Berlaymont building (the European Commission’s Head Quarters) converted into an apartment. At this moment, many Commission officials are working from home.

The contact is thought to have occurred during a visit to Lisbon, where Von der Leyen gave a speech on the EU’s proposed recover plan and resilience. She had been invited to address the Fundação Champalimaud by the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

The speech was just two days before the special European Council (1-2 October) which brings together heads of government from Europe’s 27 member states.

And the European Commission Chief Spokesperson Eric Mamer has just confirmed that the President's latest test is negative, but will remain in isolation for a further day:

Breaking: latest test result for President @vonderleyen is negative. She will nevertheless observe self-isolation until tomorrow end-of-day as foreseen by health safety regulations.

— Eric Mamer (@MamerEric) October 5, 2020