BERLIN, March 22 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has put herself in quarantine after a doctor she met Friday tested positive for coronavirus, government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Sunday.
Merkel was informed after a press conference that the doctor who gave her a pneumococcal vaccination was diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Merkel decided to immediately quarantine herself at home and take tests over the next few days, according to Seibert.
"The Chancellor will also conduct her official affairs from home quarantine," said Seibert.
Merkel addressed a press conference Sunday after a con-call with the state premiers regarding measures to tighten restrictions amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Merkel said that Germany will prohibit public gatherings of more than two, but relatives who live in their own household are exempt from the ban.
According to Deutsche Presse Agentur, Germany reported more than 24,100 COVID-19 cases with 90 deaths by Sunday.
