Paris (AFP)
Culture Minister Franck Riester has been infected with the new coronavirus, his cabinet told AFP on Monday, stressing that he was "in good shape" and at his Parisian home.
"The minister was tested positively today" after having manifested "symptoms," said the cabinet, noting that Franck Riester had spent several days last week in the National Assembly where several cases were confirmed.
Questioned by AFP, Matignon said that "the rules for ministers are the same as for all French". "For the government, the rules of prudence and the barrier gestures remain in order," added the same source.
Franck Riester had spent several days last week before the Assembly's Cultural Affairs Committee to present his bill on audiovisual communication.
After the announcement of the first proven cases in the Assembly, he had indicated on Facebook that he would not participate during the weekend in events planned for his municipal campaign in Coulommiers (Seine-et-Marne).
"The instructions of the health authorities after any contact with people infected with the virus are clear (...) These instructions must be followed by all," he said.
Five deputies and two staff members of the National Assembly were infected with the coronavirus, including two elected officials who participated in the meetings of the Committee on Cultural Affairs.
Franck Riester is not the first government official in the world to be infected. Several senior Iranian officials are among those infected with viral pneumonia, including Massoumeh Ebtékar, vice-president responsible for women and the family, or the vice-minister of health, Iradj Harirchi.
© 2020 AFP