Algeria President Goes to Germany While His South African Counterpart Self-Isolates
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is self-quarantining at home after coming into contact with a dinner guest who tested positive for COVID-19.
A spokesperson for Ramaphosa said he learned Tuesday that he had come in contact with the infected person while attending a fundraiser dinner with 35 other people for South African schools in Johannesburg last weekend.
Ramaphosa’s spokesperson said in a statement that he is not showing any symptoms and continues to work. The statement also said Ramaphosa wished the guest, who is getting medical attention, a speedy recovery.
The president’s self-quarantining comes as South Africa’s coronavirus cases have risen in recent weeks. So far, South Africa has confirmed more than 719,000 COVID-19 cases and 19,111 deaths.
Algeria president flies to German
In a related development, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is undergoing medical examination at a German hospital, a day after the government announced he was admitted to an Algerian hospital after self-isolating because several of his senior aides tested positive for COVID-19.
The 75-year-old president’s treatment in Germany comes days before Algeria’s critical November 1 referendum on changes he has proposed to the constitution.
A government statement announced on state television did not specify what Tebboune is being treated for, even though he had a coronavirus scare. There has been no government announcement that Tebboune tested positive for COVID-19.
Tebboune replaced Algeria’s ousted longtime president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in January amid political unrest in the country.
