BREXIT BLOCK: Labour hopeful calls for transitional period DELAY because of 'uncertainty'
LABOUR leader hopeful Lisa Nandy has called for an extension to the Brexit transition period amid the escalating coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus: Rishi Sunak discusses 'Brexit transition period'
Boris Johnson must work to secure a transition to the Brexit transition process because of the coronavirus crisis, according to Labour leadership candidate, Lisa Nandy. One of three candidates, Ms Nandy, in an opinion piece for The Guardian, said communities and businesses could not cope with the “uncertainty” of Brexit combined with the outbreak.
She wrote: “British companies who trade with the EU do not know what terms they’ll be trading on in 10 months’ time.
“Add to this the falling demand and disruption created by coronavirus and it is reasonable to expect many businesses will not survive.”
It comes as fears over the state of the world’s economy as a result of the virus grow - with the FTSE index falling more than 7 percent on Monday.
This has led to concerns over a global recession.
Yet, the government has consistently ruled out the possibility of extending the Brexit transition period.
The new chancellor, Rishi Sunak, said there was no need for such an event to happen under any circumstances.
Meanwhile, Ms Nandy argues Mr Johnson’s argument has no other option than to call for a delay.
She said: “The government has boxed itself into a corner by legislating to end the transition period in December come what may.
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“It now faces a direct choice between narrow partisan ideology and the interests of the nation.
“An extension will mean that British citizens living abroad will be able to access free healthcare for at least another year, that we are able to continue to access the early warning and response system [EWRS] that helped us coordinate Sars and bird flu.
“Public safety is at stake. This must happen now.”
The number of confirmed cases as of Tuesday 10 March 00:00 (GMT) is 111,000, while 3,890 have died.
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Coronavirus Italy CRISIS: Whole country in LOCKDOWN [ANALYSIS]
China, where the virus outbreak was first reported, announced this week just 40 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest since January 20.
Among the countries worst hit outside of China: Italy.
Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, today ramped up the country’s efforts in curbing the virus’ spread by placing the entire country on lock down.
There, the number of confirmed infections sits at 9,172, while 463 have died.
In a televised address on Monday, Mr Conte said that Italy's "customs must change" and that the best thing was for people to stay at home.
"We're having an important growth in infection... and of deaths," he said.
"We all must give something up for the good of Italy. We have to do it now, and we'll only be able if we all collaborate and adapt to these more stringent measures.
"This is why I decided to adopt even more strong and severe measures to contain the advance... and protect the health of all citizens."
All sporting matches have been banned nationwide, as well as public gatherings.
Of this, he said: "No more nightlife; we can't allow this anymore since they are occasions for contagion.”
The Italian government has said only those with a valid family or work reason that cannot be postponed will be permitted to travel, while passengers on flights, except temporary visitors, will have to justify their visit.