Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday afternoon about the coronavirus pandemic.
“The prime minister updated the Crown Prince on the steps the UK is taking, driven by scientific advice, to tackle the spread of the virus,” Downing Street said.
“Both leaders agreed on the need for an internationally co-ordinated response to the outbreak, particularly on developing a vaccine and limiting the economic disruption caused by the pandemic.
“They resolved to work closely on this, including through the G20 presidency that Saudi Arabia holds this year.”
The G20 Summit is due to be held in the Saudi capital Riyadh between November 21 and 22.
Mr Johnson has had calls with US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in the past few days about the outbreak.
Mr Johnson is due to chair another Cobra emergency committee with health officials on Monday to co-ordinate the British government’s response, which some people have criticised for involving less stringent measures than those of other European nations.
Unlike most other European countries, Britain has not gone into lockdown nor halted large public gatherings. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the government will bring in measures for people over 70 and other members of the public vulnerable to Covid-19 to self-quarantine, potentially for months.
A Downing Street statement on Sunday said Mr Johnson and senior ministers would host daily press conferences on the pandemic, supported by scientists and medical experts.
On Monday, all G7 leaders will participate in a call to discuss international efforts to battle the virus. Mr Johnson will encourage fellow leaders to support the World Health Organisation response, provide funding and expertise for research that can ensure rapid progress to develop a vaccine, and drive help to mitigate the economic impact of the crisis.
