The Omicron variant of COVID-19 virus prompted the postponement of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s scheduled trip to New York and Washington next week, according to the official sources in the US capital.
The UNGA President Abdullah Shahid and UN Secretary General’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric have both been infected by the virus, as have other prominent UN officials.
As of this week, more than a million Omicron cases have been recorded in the United States, resulting in school closures, and reiterating COVID safety measures and societal separation. It is stoking the fires of yet another shutdown.
Qureshi was scheduled to visit New York on January 13 for a meeting of the G-77, which was to begin on January 14 and continue through the following day. He also scheduled a trip to Washington, D.C. to meet with top American officials and politicians.
The rapid surge in the number of COVID-19 cases throughout the world and New York City compelled UNGA President Abdullah Shahid to postpone a high-level thematic debate set for January 13, a day before the G-77 conference, he stated in an email to the UN missions in New York.
The G-77 conference has been postponed as well. To “minimise the risk of spreading the infection,” Mr Shahid said that he made this decision.
Chef de Cabinet to the Secretary-General Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti sent another letter to UN missions informing them that the UN was enabling its New York workers to work remotely. Because of an increase in positive COVID-19 cases in New York City and among UN employees, she stated, “We made this decision as a preventative measure.” To make matters worse, an increasing number of crucial UN employees have tested positive, raising the possibility that they may no longer be able to assist the work of member states whilst on their premises.
