French PM Jean Castex tests positive for COVID-19

By Euronews with AP, AFP • Updated: 23/11/2021

French Prime Minister Jean Castex gives a statement after a Belgian-French security consultation meeting at Egmont Palace in Brussels, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. - Copyright AP Photo/Olivier Matthys

French Prime Minister Jean Castex tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday night, his office has confirmed.

The prime minister had learned in the afternoon that his 11-year-old daughter tested positive for the virus.

Earlier in the day, the French PM met with his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo, who is in quarantine following their meeting.

France's armies minister Florence Parly, interior minister Gérald Darmanin, justice minister Eric Dupond-Moretti, and Secretary of State for Europe Clément Beaune accompanied the prime minister, along with many other French officials.

Castex received two COVID-19 vaccine doses last spring. He had previously been in contact with people who tested positive for the virus three times but had never himself contracted it.

The 56-year-old has been criticised on social media for shaking hands and not wearing a mask when greeting officials at a Paris mayoral congress earlier this month.

The prime minister’s office said the matter was being exploited for political ends and that he “tries to respect the rules as much as possible.”

The official also noted that a health pass was required for the event on November 16.