Paris says the French president Emmanuel Macron is not considered a Covid-19 contact case despite meeting French Polynesia's president Edouard Fritch at the Elysee Palace last week.
French President Emmanuel Macron and French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch Photo: supplied
Fritch announced yesterday that he tested positive for the coronavirus, but the French presidency issued a statement, saying barriers were scrupulously respected with mask wearing and distancing.
The two leaders met three days before Fritch arrived back in Tahiti and tested positive.
Three days before leaving Paris, Fritch had a negative test which is a requirement to be able to board a flight for French Polynesia.
The head of a top Paris hospital, Gilbert Deray, said all the ministers Fritch met were contact cases that should self-isolate for seven days.
Among the leaders Fritch met in Paris is the overseas minister Sebastien Lecornu who has since flown to New Caledonia where he is in compulsory two-week quarantine.
The French High Commission in Noumea said Lecornu was not considered a contact case.
It said he met Fritch on 3 October and passed a Covid-19 test on 7 October before leaving France.
Fritch also met the French prime minister Jean Castex.
Edouard Fritch and Jean Castex Photo: AFP or licensors