With our correspondent in Brazzaville, Loïcia Martial

According to a statement from the presidential office, in keeping with the health protocols in force in the country, the head of state, being considered a contact person, is required to observe a period of isolation.

The duration of his isolation was not specified by the office, which affirms that several people in the immediate entourage of the president of the Republic have recently tested positive for coronavirus Covid-19.

After screening, the president of the Republic himself tested negative, according to the same statement.

Last public appearance in Brazzaville on December 15

Denis Sassou-Nguesso made his last public appearance on Wednesday, December 15, at the inauguration of a general hospital in the northern part of Brazzaville. But the next day he was represented by his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Claude Gakosso, at the Turkey-Africa summit in Istanbul. He also postponed a visit planned for yesterday and until Tuesday to Pointe-Noire (south).

Congo has recently eased some Covid-19 control measures, notably authorizing the organization of weddings. The country has already recorded at least 360 deaths caused by Covid-19.