Photo: Xinhua

LISBON, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will be quarantined at his private residence for two weeks, according to a statement published on the website of the Presidency on Sunday. 

According to the statement, the president received a group of students from a school in northern Portugal last Tuesday at an event and took photos with them.

After a student was confirmed on Saturday night to have infected with COVID-19 and his school was closed, Rebelo de Sousa accepted the suggestion of quarantine from the health authorities.

"Having listened to the health authorities, the President of the Republic, despite not having any viral symptoms, decided to cancel all his public activity... during the next two weeks," said the statement.

"At the moment when all the Portuguese demonstrate high civic maturity in the face of the viral outbreak, the President of the Republic understands that he must give a reinforced example of prevention," said it.

Nine new cases were confirmed in Portugal on Sunday, bringing the total to 30.