THE United Nations has cancelled all in-person meetings at its New York headquarters after five people in Niger’s U.N. mission were infected with the coronavirus, diplomats said.

After largely operating virtually since New York became a global COVID-19 hotspot in March, the 193-member world body had been holding some in-person gatherings again, with COVID-19 precautions such as requiring diplomats to wear masks, social distance and restricting the number of people at meetings.

In a letter to member states late on Monday, U.N. General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir said the U.N. medical unit had recommended cancelling in-person meetings on Tuesday, pending contact tracing with those infected.

Niger is a member of the 15-member Security Council, which last met in person on Thursday. Diplomats said people who attended Thursday’s meeting were being tested for COVID-19, and an in-person meeting on Syria planned for Tuesday was instead held virtually. – Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Source: The African Mirror