Chile's campaign trail goes virtual as all but two candidates forced into COVID lockdown

FILE PHOTO: Chilean presidential candidate Gabriel Boric from left-wing 'Apruebo Dignidad' (I Approve Dignity) coalition listens to a question from the media after meeting with supporters during the start of the allowed period for televised electoral propaganda in Santiago, Chile, October 22, 2021. Chileans will go to the polls in the first round of presidential elections on Nov. 21, 2021. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado/File Photo

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's presidential candidates had to host news conferences from home and cancel travel plans on Thursday as five out of seven candidates were forced to isolate for a week after left-wing hopeful Gabriel Boric tested positive for COVID-19.

In addition to Boric, four candidates had all been in close contact with him recently and have since tested negative for the virus, they said on social media. But Chile's regulations mandate that any close contacts isolate for at least seven days regardless of test result.