Virus Disrupts Crunch Brexit Summit as EU Head Leaves to Isolate
- Von der Leyen leaves meeting after staff member tests positive
- News lands while EU leaders debate the Brexit stalemate
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen left a leaders’ summit in Brussels after a member of her staff tested positive for Covid-19, highlighting how the virus has disrupted policy planning across the continent.
The head of the European Union’s executive arm said in a tweet that she herself has tested negative for the infection but will nevertheless be self-isolating immediately. Her abrupt departure came as EU leaders were discussing the stalemate in the negotiations with the U.K. on a post-Brexit trade agreement.