COVID-19: French culture minister tests positive for coronavirus

French Culture Minister Franck Riester has contracted the novel coronavirus and is staying in his Paris home but is "doing fine", his office said

"The minister tested positive today," after displaying symptoms, the ministry said.

It noted that Riester spent several days last week at the country's lower house National Assembly, where five virus cases were confirmed earlier.

The prime minister's office said that the rules for ministers with the virus "are the same for all French people" including acting with caution and taking measures to minimise the chances of the disease spreading.

The culture minister has not met French President Emmanuel Macron for several days, the source close to the culture ministry said.

One of the European countries hit hardest by the coronavirus, France's tally reached 25 deaths and 1,412 cases on Monday evening (up by 286 from the previous day). The disease has killed nearly 4,000 worldwide.

Having banned large public gatherings at the end of February, France will see its first match with no fans in 10 years at PSG’s stadium on Wednesday.

Meanwhile the Louvre said on Monday it was restricting entry to the world's most visited museum, as concerts were cancelled across France, including Madonna's Paris concerts as part of her "Madame X" tours.

(FRANCE 24, AFP, REUTERS)