EMMANUEL Macron has apologised after cosying up to European leaders as he is being treated for Covid.
The 42-year-old leader has the resident doctor of the Elysee Palace presidential residence by his bedside after becoming infected and being hit by a fever.
There are fears he may have infected others after a hectic week during which Macron appeared to have little interest in social distancing.
On Wednesday he met Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez and on Monday the Portuguese PM António Costa yesterday – and was pictured in close contact with both.
There is now frantic contact tracing across Europe to try and find others he may have infected with Covid.
He was also pictured shaking hands with Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development chief Angel Gurria in the Elysee palace courtyard.
Macron embraced the 70-year-old, who has since gone into isolation.
An aide to Mr Macron admitted the President made an “unfortunate” mistake in shaking Mr Gurria’s hand, adding: “There’s no denying it.”
There were also accusations that President Macron had broken his own government’s guidelines over only six people being allowed to sit down to share a meal.
Officials with the presidency said Macron is suffering from fever, cough and fatigue but wouldn’t provide details of his treatment.
He is staying at the presidential residence of La Lanterne in the former royal city of Versailles.
Macron “will continue to work and carry out his activities remotely” while aides said he was not seriously ill and would appear regularly on video streams.
Elysee chief doctor Jean-Christophe Perrochon is staying with Macron during his quarantine, Le Parisien reports.
