British Treasury and the Central Bank of England (BoE) launch a credit facility for trading securities issued by companies affected by the coronavirus. The program will run for at least one year and will buy up to one year matured debt that offers interest rates similar to what the issuing companies would pay in the pre-pandemic coronavirus outbreak.

The enterprises must not issue corporate bonds before they are eligible to participate in the scheme, said the BoE.

Shortly before this news, it became clear that negotiations between the European Union (EU) and the UK on post-Brexit trading conditions would be suspended indefinitely as London and Brussels take additional measures to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Talks between the negotiators are expected to continue through video conferencing.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has advised its citizens not to make urgent trips to the world in the next 30 days as part of the country’s increased efforts to curb the coronavirus.

“I take the immediate decision to advise British citizens not to make unnecessary journeys to the world for an initial period of 30 days”, Foreign Minister Dominic Raab told the House of Commons in London. He added that he would work with shipping companies to keep trade routes to and from the UK open. “We consider this type of travel essential and will work with the industry to issue detailed advice”, he told lawmakers.

The move came after Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the British to avoid contact with other people and curb unnecessary travel to the UK in an attempt to control the rapidly spreading pandemic.

The UK has been criticized for not applying stricter restrictions than in other European countries.