The United Kingdom is considering joining the European Union's joint purchasing scheme for respirators (see EUROPE 12450/1), the British government said on Thursday 26 March, explaining an initial refusal as “a miscommunication”.
Asked about this on Friday 27 March, the Commission’s Health Spokesman, Stefan de Keersmaecker, recalled that the United Kingdom is “a signatory to the common agreement. They are therefore free to participate in any tender issued during the current period”.
Mr de Keersmaecker added that the United Kingdom was present at ministerial meetings where the Commission stated it was “ready to support any country” that wished to join the joint procurement project. The United Kingdom is therefore “free” to join the initiative.
Boris Johnson tested positive
This possible British participation coincides with the announcement, made on 27 March by the British Prime Minister himself, of his contamination with COVID-19.
“I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus. Together we will beat this”, he said via Twitter, claiming to have “mild symptoms”.
The British Health Minister, Matt Hancock, has also tested positive. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)