Germany’s head of government, Olaf Scholz, has tested positive for covid-19 after a trip to the Middle East, the German Executive Spokesperson announced this Monday.

The 64-year-old chancellor has “mild symptoms” of the common cold and has tested positive for covid. According to Steffen Hebestreit, the lockdown has been initiated.

The spokesperson said that he will attend their meetings virtually in the coming days.

Scholz tested positive on his return from a weekend trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on a mission to find new sources of energy supply for Germany.