Although he shows no symptoms of COVID-19, the European Commission's Executive Vice-President in charge of the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, has taken the initiative to go into a self-imposed quarantine until 20 March, the Commission's chief spokesman, Eric Mamer, announced on Monday 16 March.
Mr Timmermans took this decision because, during the launch of the 'European Plastics Pact' (see EUROPE 12441/5) on Friday 6 March, he was in contact with the French Secretary of State for Ecological and Solidarity Transition, Brune Poirson, who tested positive for coronavirus.
When questioned by a reporter, Mamer said that no other commissioner was currently under quarantine, as there is no sign to date that the vice-president has contracted the virus.
Mr Timmermans will therefore participate remotely in the meeting of the College of Commissioners on Wednesday 18 March. This meeting is for the time being maintained, but could be held by videoconference, Mr Mamer told EUROPE. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)