US climate envoy John Kerry has tested positive for COVID-19 at the United Nations’ COP27 climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, the state department said. His spokesperson Whitney Smith confirmed Kerry’s positive report on COVID-19. Smith said in a statement that Kerry is “experiencing mild symptoms” and self-isolating at the summit. As the talks hit a critical stretch, he is “working with his negotiations team and foreign counterparts by phone to ensure a successful outcome of COP27.”
The Egyptian COP presidency has adopted a relaxed approach regarding the Covid norms and protocols. It was not mandatory for the participants to present a negative Covid report or to be vaccinated. However they strongly recommended the participants to be vaccinated. Wearing mask too was optional.
As the number of people who tested positive grew and the news of a potential outbreak started to spread, more attendees began to mask up.