Russian President Vladimir Putin will self-isolate as a number of inner circle members have tested positive for COVID-19, Sputnik reported quoting a statement from the Kremlin on Tuesday. 

“Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Emomali Rahmon, the president of the Republic of Tajikistan. Vladimir Putin said that in connection with the coronavirus cases detected in his entourage, he must enter the regime of self-isolation for a certain period of time,” the statement said. 

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The announcement came during the readout of his phone call with Tajikistan president. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Putin had undergone testing for the infection after his acquaintances were returned positive tests.

While saying that Putin is in “excellent health”, he did not clarify how long the President will remain in isolation for. 

“The president is in excellent health,” Peskov said. He also confirmed “definitely yes” when asked if Putin had returned a negative PCR test. 

He also did not confirm who all were infection in his inner circle, only stating that there were a number of cases. 

Putin is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, having received both shots of the homegrown Sputnik V in April. 

On Monday, Putin attended a number of public events, including meeting Paralympians, attending military exercises jointly conducted with Belarus and meeting Syrian President Bashar Assad. 

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During the meet with the Paralympians, Putin admitted he “may have to quarantine soon”. “Even in my circle problems occur with this COVID,” news agency RIA Novosti quoted him as saying. “We need to look into what’s really happening there. I think I may have to quarantine soon myself. A lot of people around (me) are sick.”

Peskov said the decision to self-isolate came after “doctors completed their testing, their procedures.”

When asked why Putin went ahead with the meetings on Monday knowing people around him were COVID positive, Peskov said “no one’s health was endangered” from the meetings.