As Corona Reaches Buckingham, Queen Uses SNS

Media reports in the UK said that Queen Elizabeth will be staying in touch with her family using video calls because of the coronavirus crisis.

British 'Mirror' re-quoted sources that the 93-year-old monarch will use social network sites (SNS) and apps including FaceTime and Skype to stay in touch with loved ones.

Royal sources said that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are social distancing at Windsor Castle as the UK grapples with the deadly disease.

The news came as one of the Queen's employees at Buckingham Palace has reportedly tested positive for virus while she was still in residence there.

The aide reportedly fell ill and tested positive last week, and Royal Household staff who had contact with the person have been ordered to self-isolate.

A source told the Sun on Sunday: “The worker tested positive before the Queen left for Windsor. But the Palace has 500 members of staff so, like any workplace, it’s not inconceivable it would be affected in some stage.”

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: “In line with the appropriate guidance and our own processes, we have taken the necessary actions to protect all employees and people involved.”

The Queen, who has avoided shaking hands during audiences and a recent investiture, has since moved to Windsor Castle earlier than usual for Easter.

Earlier, the Queen was photographed wearing gloves during a Buckingham palace investiture ceremony.

As hundreds of Britons have so far died after testing positive for Covid-19, Prime Minster Boris Johnson urged around 1.5 million Brits of vulnerable groups to avoid leaving homes for at least few months to come.

Buckingham Palace is reportedly working with the government on efforts to provide "calm reassurance" to the nation.

The Queen is said to be set to deliver a televised address in an effort to “lift the nation’s morale”.