Brasilia, July 9 (RHC)-- Brazilian broadcasters have quarantined journalists after they were exposed to President Jair Bolsonaro in an interview where he announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

On Tuesday, Bolsonaro told a handful of television journalists at his official residence that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Several held microphones in front of his chest, without the minimum 1-2 metres (3-6 feet) of distance advocated by medical experts to avoid contagion.

In separate emailed statements, CNN Brasil, Record TV and the state-run Brazil Communications Company (EBC) said they had taken their reporters off the job following the interview.

Record and EBC said their journalists would return to work only if they tested negative for the virus in coming days.  CNN Brasil did not give details on the protocol for its journalists.