From: BROADCAST United Nations <broadcast-unitednations@un.org>
Sent: Friday, 11 March, 2022 9:39 PM
To: Broadcast - UNHQ NY Secretariat <Broadcast-UNHQ-NY-Secretariat@un.org>
Subject: Changes to UNHQ’s COVID-19 mitigation measures
Dear New York-based Colleagues,
After a long two-year struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic, we have encouraging news to report. COVID-19 case numbers, hospitalizations and transmission rates have significantly improved in New York City and the Tri-State area. Cases amongst UNHQ personnel have also sharply declined and have been at very low levels for some time. As you know, State and City authorities in New York have now lifted or revised their pandemic mitigation measures.
From the beginning, our approach on health and safety measures, as well as our transition from Phase Zero to the “Next Normal” phase has been closely guided by advice and the guidance of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and that of the local health authorities in New York City and State.
The CDC has introduced a new “community level” tool to help formulate prevention steps based on the latest data. Levels – which are determined by hospitalization and test positivity rates – are charaterised as low, medium or high. New York is currently at the low community level, for which the CDC recommends the following:
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- Masks: People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
- Masks: People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
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- COVID-19 vaccine: Stay up to date (meaning a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible).
- COVID-19 vaccine: Stay up to date (meaning a person has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible).
The authorities in New York City have decided to:
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- End COVID-19 vaccination requirements at restaurants, gyms, fitness studios, entertainment and cultural venues.
- End COVID-19 vaccination requirements at restaurants, gyms, fitness studios, entertainment and cultural venues.
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- Continue to mandate masks in public transit, as well as in healthcare facilities, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, schools/day care for children aged 2 to 5, and Broadway theatres. Individual businesses can choose to mandate masks.
- Continue to mandate masks in public transit, as well as in healthcare facilities, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, schools/day care for children aged 2 to 5, and Broadway theatres. Individual businesses can choose to mandate masks.
Indoor school mask mandates have been discontinued in the Tri-State area.
Based on the new guidelines, we are now able to institute associated changes in our workplace, returning to full operational capability while still prioritizing the health and safety of personnel, and balancing the operational needs of the Organization.
Guided by the Senior Emergency Policy Team and the Occupational Safety and Health Committee in New York, I have decided to make the following changes:
- As of Monday, 14 March:
- Mask use will be voluntary throughout the premises.
- Civil Society Organizations will be given access to the premises.
- Mask use will be voluntary throughout the premises.
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- As of Monday, 28 March:
- Intergovernmental meetings will resume as normal.
- Intergovernmental meetings will resume as normal.
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- As of Monday, 4 April:
- UNHQ will enter the “Next Normal” phase.
- UNHQ will enter the “Next Normal” phase.
Decisions regarding the opening of the buildings to visitors, the general public, including for United Nations Guided Tours, to non-resident correspondents, and the holding of side events/receptions will be taken in April.
In terms of entry to our premises, the following protocols will apply as of 14 March:
a. By swiping their UN-issued ID, all persons entering the UNHQ confirm they have not had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 in the last 5 days or a positive COVID test result in the last 5 days.
b. Persons experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection such as seasonal flu are required to stay at home.
c. For staff members, remote work for up to 5 days following close contact with a case is at the discretion of the manager, but does not require quarantine. Those with exposure to someone with COVID-19 (including close contacts) are recommended to wear a mask.
d. Children may accompany a parent into the UNHQ. Children 5 and over are required to be vaccinated. No verification of vaccination is required, and the accompanying parent is expected to attest to the child’s vaccination status. Children under 5 are required to wear a mask except when with their parent in a single-person office.
Regarding vaccinations, the following requirements will apply as of 14 March:
a. Personnel:
i. Vaccinations will be voluntary for the majority of personnel and activities, but all United Nations personnel are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with vaccinations.
ii. Vaccinations will be mandatory only for selected higher-risk activities where specifically justified and according to the epidemic situation. Personnel performing such higher-risk activities will be informed by their managers. Groups of personnel who were previously mandated are no longer required to be vaccinated unless they are performing higher-risk activities and are informed by their managers.
b. Reporting: Reporting of vaccination status by United Nations personnel remains mandatory. Personnel must also register their booster shots. Please do so as soon as possible through the EarthMed portal (medical.un.org). Knowing the level of vaccination is critical to continuing to manage our workplace safely.
c. Travel: Completion of primary series vaccination will remain mandatory for travel clearance until the global situation resolves.
d. Indoor dining/eating/drinking: Vaccination no longer required.
Our colleagues from the Occupational Safety and Health Committee will continue to closely monitor the dynamics of the pandemic throughout the coming weeks and months and advise me in case changes to the above-described approach are recommended. Further detailed guidance will be made available at https://iseek.un.org/nyc/workplace-unhq. Detailed information about the plans for our “Next Normal” will be communicated in a separate broadcast message next week.
I want to once again thank you for your resilience, dedication and extraordinary efforts over this long and difficult period. We have learned many lessons together – including how to work effectively in innovative ways. Let us build on those lessons as we carry out our essential mission to advance peace, sustainable development and human rights for all.
Yours sincerely,
António Guterres