Belgian prince positive for coronavirus apologizes for partying in Spain
Prince Joachim of Belgium (Image: Frederic Sierakowski/Belga/AFP)
A prince from Belgium was discovered to have flouted lockdown rules by partying in Spain, after he tested positive for coronavirus.
The Spanish press demanded an apology from Prince Joachim, 28, who was supposedly in the country for an internship, the Brussels Times reported on Monday, June 1.
“I deeply regret my actions,” the prince said in a statement to Spanish news agency EFE. “I apologize for not respecting all quarantine measures during my trip. In these difficult moments, I did not mean to offend or disrespect anybody.”
Joachim, the nephew of King Philippe, left for Madrid on May 24. Rather than quarantine for 14 days, he traveled by train to Cordoba and attended a party on May 26, which had 27 attendees. Regulations in Spain dictate that only a maximum of 15 people can attend gatherings.
When the prince reported symptoms of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), contact tracing led to the party being exposed.
Police in Spain are investigating the event. Those guilty of breaking lockdown measures could be fined up to €10,000 (P560,000).
Spain has been one of the countries hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic. It began a 10-day mourning period for nearly 27,000 confirmed deaths due to the virus on May 27, a day after the party was held. Niña V. Guno /ra
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