The UK will refused to delay the Brexit deadline in any way despite the coronavirus pandemic, Downing Street said today.
Boris Johnson's official spokesman said the UK will not ask to extend the transition period beyond December 31.
And even if EU chiefs ask for an extension the UK will refuse, the spokesman declared today.
Furious pro-EU MPs branded the decision "beyond reckless" in the middle of a killer disease outbreak.
The transition period stops current trade, travel and data-sharing rules with the EU coming to a halt.
If the UK and EU agree a trade deal before New Year's Eve that won't be a problem, but that possibility is looking less and less likely due to coronavirus.
Both sides have until June to come up with some sort of basic agreement but several rounds of trade talks had to be delayed.
Sources have told the Mirror Boris Johnson was prepared to extend the deadline, and even hardened Brexiteers said they would accept it due to Covid-19.
Since then more than 13,000 have died in the UK.
But No10 today claimed the UK needs “flexibility” to make its own laws to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
The PM’s official spokesman said: “We will not ask to extend the transition period and if the EU asks, we will say no.
“Extending the transition would prolong negotiations, prolong business uncertainty and delay the moment of control of our borders.”
No10 also said the government has no plans to change its immigration system for after Brexit - despite fears it will hurt the “key workers” honoured thanks to coronavirus.
Asked if there was a rethink for them, No10 said: “No, there’s no change to the Immigration Bill as recently published.”
The plans tell firms they must end their reliance on “low-skilled” - in other words, low waged - workers from the EU as there will mostly be no route to bring them into the UK.
The PM’s spokesman added: “There’s a specific NHS visa included in the new immigration system.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: "It is beyond reckless for the Tory government to impose a Brexit hard deadline in the middle of a global pandemic and economic crisis.
"People, public services and businesses are already struggling to get by.
"Imposing a Tory hard Brexit at the end of the year would deal another devastating blow – at a time when our economy will need all the support it can get to recover."
While Britain formally left the EU on January 31, we immediately entered an 11-month period where the relationship with the EU remains largely unchanged.
Teams have until December 31 to agree a pact on the new relationship – and either side can walk away from talks in June.
Week-long talks over video calls will take place starting on Monday, followed by another round beginning on May 11 and a final set starting on June 1.
