Brexit trade talks suspended because of COVID-19 case
A healthcare worker put on their personal protective equipment (PPE) before administering coronavirus tests to patients at the Lee Davis Community Resource Center on June 25, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The USF Health system partnered with the Hillsborough County Government to provide coronavirus testing at several location sites throughout the county. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
BRUSSELS (AP) — The Brexit trade negotiations have been suspended at a crucial stage because an EU negotiator has tested positive for the coronavirus.
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said that together with his UK counterpart David Frost “we have decided to suspend the negotiations at our level for a short period.” He added that talks among lower ranking officials would continue.
Any suspension of talks will make it even tougher for the negotiator to clinch a deal ahead of the Jan. 1 deadline.
Barnier did not identify the member of the EU team who tested positive.