BERLIN (Reuters) – German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas went into quarantine on Wednesday after one of his bodyguards tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him to call off a planned trip to Jordan, according to the ministry and media reports.
An initial test of the minister had found he was not infected, the ministry said.
The announcement, a day after a meeting of European Union leaders was postponed because European Council President Charles Michel entered quarantine, highlights the difficulty of maintaining normal diplomatic business as Europe prepares for a second, autumn wave of coronavirus infections.
“Foreign Minister Maas put himself into quarantine after a member of his personal protection team was infected with COVID-19,” the ministry said.
Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper said Maas had had to cancel a planned visit to Jordan as a result of his quarantine.
On Tuesday, Michel postponed to next week a summit of EU leaders after coming into contact with someone who had the virus. The summit had been planned for this Thursday.
(Reporting by Thomas Escritt; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
