Walloon Tourism Minister Valérie De Bue has tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing the entire regional government into quarantine, it announced Wednesday.
De Bue’s last contact with fellow ministers was on Friday, when Christophe Collignon was sworn in as a minister for local authorities. “During this meeting, all health rules in force were respected,” a government statement stressed.
Ministers are nonetheless suspending their official activities and will be working remotely as a precaution. The ministers have already been tested for the virus, with results expected in 24 hours, according to RTBF. A meeting between ministers scheduled for Thursday will be held through videoconference.
De Bue “is in good health and continues her work remotely,” the government said.
Later in the day, news broke that most of the Belgian capital’s regional government also had to self-isolate because Brussels Finance Minister Sven Gatz tested positive.
Only Brussels Health Minister Alain Maron does not have to quarantine as he has not been in close contact with Gatz like the other cabinet members, who had a meeting of the Brussels government together with Gatz on October 1.
Gatz is showing mild symptoms of the virus and will be working from home, his spokesperson told public broadcaster VRT. Members of his staff with whom he has been in close contact will also quarantine and get tested.
This article has been updated.