[ad_1]
Trade talks on Brexit will be suspended “for a short period” at a higher level after one of the EU negotiators tested positive for COVID-19.
EU Chief Negotiator Michel barnier revealed on Twitter that “one of the negotiators on my team” had returned a positive coronavirus test.
He said that he and his UK counterpart, Lord frost, had “decided to suspend negotiations at our level for a short period.”
“The teams will continue their work in full compliance with the guidelines,” added Barnier.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lord Frost: ‘There is a lot to do’ to secure a Brexit deal
Lord Frost, who is Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s EU adviser, said he was in “close contact” with Barnier on the situation.
Both sides have been negotiating in Brussels this week, with just over a month remaining before the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31.
“The health of our teams comes first,” Lord Frost posted on Twitter, thanking the European Commission “for their immediate help and support.”
Sky News Europe correspondent Adam Parsons reported that Barnier would go into quarantine, although he would remain in contact with Lord Frost.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, wished a “speedy recovery” to the member of the EU negotiating team.
He added that “the work will continue in full respect” of the COVID rules.
There are about 50 negotiators on each team, although not all of them meet face to face.
It is understood that the UK team is trying to establish which of them may have had contact with the affected EU official.
The two teams have been trying to negotiate a future trade deal before December 31, although negotiations have remained stalled on issues such as so-called “level playing field” commitments and fisheries.
Given that both the EU and UK parliament need to ratify any deal, it is unlikely that the talks will be allowed to continue until the end of the year.
And, without a resolution soon, both sides could resort to preparations for a no-deal outcome.
This could see the two sides trading as of January 1 under the terms of the World Trade Organization, which will likely see the erection of tariffs in both directions.
A UK government spokesperson said: “The commission has informed us that an official in their delegation has tested positive for COVID -19.
“We are discussing with them the implications for the negotiations. We have been and will continue to act in accordance with public health guidelines and to ensure the health and well-being of our teams.”
