German economy minister self-quarantines after staffer tests positive

German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier placed himself in quarantine after a staff member who worked near him tested positive for the novel coronavirus, his ministry said on Friday. Altmaier, who is responsible for large parts of the stimulus programmes with which the German government is trying to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic, had already received a first negative test result, the ministry added.

"Minister Altmaier will continue to do his duties from quarantine," it said. Several German ministers, including Chancellor Angela Merkel herself, have had to quarantine themselves during the pandemic. Health Minister Jens Spahn contracted the virus in October, but has since resumed work.

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