German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been taken into quarantine after being informed that the new coronavirus was detected in a doctor who administered a vaccine to her.
Merkel's spokesman said shortly after holding a news conference on Sunday announcing new steps to curb the spread of the virus that the German chancellor was informed about the doctor's positive test result.
Germany introduced a "touch ban" earlier Sunday, to prevent coronavirus spread, Merkel said. She said in a press conference that Germany should toughen its steps and allow citizens to "reduce as much interaction as possible with men."
In the coming days Merkel will be checked periodically and will continue to fulfill her duties as chancellor from home. Her self-quarantine decision comes as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across Europe.
The new coronavirus is causing only mild to moderate symptoms for most people, such as fever to coughing. It may cause more serious illness for others, particularly older adults and those with established health problems, including pneumonia. Around 93,800 people, mostly in China, have recovered.
Merkel said people would adhere to a reasonable distance of 1.5 to 2 meters to prevent the virus from spreading. She also said the government would shutter bars, beauty salons and tattoo shops. The steps will be in effect for at least two weeks, Merkel said.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University, Germany is one of the hardest hit countries in the world, with more than 23,000 people having tested positive. At least 92 people have died in the country from the virus.
Merkel said she had already been profusely impacted by the lockout. "My life has also changed dramatically, and is now mostly made up of phone calls and video conferences," she said. The research showed how even leaders around the world are not free from the possibility of infection.
When the epicenter of the global pandemic moved from China to countries like Italy, Spain, Germany and France, Europe descended into a state of lockdown. Such countries, the EU's main economies, have shut down all non-essential stores, crippling economic life in the community of nations sharing the euro currency.
Italy has the most reported infections outside of China, followed by Spain, the United States, Germany, Iran, France and South Korea.
While the pandemic spreads, there is growing fear that the virus could infect other world leaders, potentially affecting vital government functions. U.S. President Donald Trump tested negative for the coronavirus after contact with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's press secretary, who tested positive.
