THE VIRUS IN BRIEF
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has tested positive for coronavirus, he has revealed.
The Frenchman said on a Twitter video: “I’m as well as I can be, strictly confined to my home. I’m fine, morale is good.”
Mr Barnier, 69, becomes the highestprofile EU official to be confirmed as a Covid-19 patient since the outbreak began – throwing the Brexit talks into doubt.
Nigel Farage, who has often sparred with Mr Barnier, sent a message saying he was “wishing you well and a speedy recovery”.
Speaking from his home in France, the EU negotiator revealed he was tested yesterday and hailed the health workers battling the crisis.
He said: “My message to all those who are affected or currently isolated: we will get through this together.”
Mr Barnier had been due to resume talks with Boris Johnson’s Europe adviser David Frost on Wednesday, but these had already been scuppered by the virus.
Negotiations on a future trading relationship are expected to get back on track next week, but not in person.
■ THE Church of England will broadcast its first virtual Sunday service for worshippers staying at home due to the bug.
It will be led by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and broadcast on 39 local BBC radio stations at 8am. The Church of England said the service has been recorded in the crypt chapel at Lambeth Palace in London.
It comes after the archbishops of Canterbury and York advised clergy to put public services on hold.
The Most Rev Justin Welby said: “The crisis through which we are passing will change this nation in deep and unpredictable ways.
“Like a nuclear explosion, the initial impact is colossal but the fallout lasts for years and will shape us in ways we can’t even begin to predict at the moment.”
In his address this Sunday, the archbishop is expected to encourage worshippers to help the vulnerable who are self-isolating by giving to a food bank and doing their shopping.
WONDER Woman actress Gal Gadot led a star-studded cover of John Lennon’s Imagine as celebrities including Natalie Portman and Jamie Dornan attempted to lift spirits amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The 34-year-old added she had been inspired by a viral video from Italy of a man playing the song on his trumpet while quarantined neighbours joined in from their homes.
Gal sang the intro to Lennon’s 1971 classic before a host of celebrities took it in turns to sing portions of the song.
The rendition also included Chris O’Dowd, Jimmy Fallon, Will Ferrell, Norah Jones and Cara Delevingne.
The video soon went viral and was one of the top trending topics on Twitter in the US. Gal captioned the post: “We are in this together, we will get through it together. Let’s imagine together.
“Sing with us. All love to you, from me and my dear friends.”
■ BBC’s Question Time, hosted by Fiona
Bruce, was broadcast last night without a studio audience for the first time.
In future the show will come from a fixed location rather than touring the country to seek the views of people from the regions.
A spokesman for the BBC said: “From next Thursday it will be broadcast from a fixed location. Audiences will submit questions and we are particularly keen to hear from those in vulnerable groups.”