I read this article a while ago but I assumed it meant associates, partners etc that will be hired to work now. I didn't think it would apply to trainees as we won't start for another 2 years and hopefully by then we would have returned to normality. I emailed and asked to confirm but I received what read like an automated response because it didn't answer my question at all. It just said that their application window for 2022 is open.
In other news, my friend emailed and asked when we would be hearing back, and they responded this morning saying that there is a slight delay given the current climate (which is understandable), and said they would get back to us soon...