After Barnier, Frost shows virus symptoms

LONDON: Britain’s lead negotiator for post-Brexit trade talks with the European Union is self-isolating after showing mild symptoms of coronavirus, a spokesman said on Friday — the day after his EU counterpart said he had the virus.

British negotiator David Frost “has been showing mild symptoms and so he is following the guidance to self-isolate”, a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters. “We remain in contact with the European Commission and expect further conversations between the teams next week.” The EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said on Thursday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 but added that he felt fine and was confining himself at home in France. The revelation that the two main players in the Brexit talks are out of action raises further questions over whether a deal can be struck before the current deadline of December 31, 2020. Britain left the EU on January 31 but agreed a standstill transition period until the end of the year to negotiate a new partnership with Brussels.

Even before the coronavirus outbreak, EU officials had warned this was not long enough. A second formal round of negotiations was called off this week but Johnson says he will not ask for more time.