NEW YORK – The United Nations (UN) intends to continue an honour system for vaccination status for entry into the general assembly hall during the high-level week despite a New York City requirement that all people shall be vaccinated for entry.
There was a pilot project under the previous president of the general assembly, which basically said that by swiping a badge to enter the general assembly hall, delegates attest that they are fully vaccinated, that they do not test positive for Covid-19 in the last 10 days and have no symptoms, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
“We’re working with the president of the 76th general assembly (the current president) on continuing this honour system in an appropriate and acceptable way for all concerned,” Xinhua quoted him as saying.
Dujarric confirmed on Wednesday that the current General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid has circulated a letter, embracing the requirement of the New York City mayor’s office that everyone who enters the general assembly hall shall be vaccinated against Covid-19.
“I think it bears repeating that we are cooperating, and have cooperated with the host country and city on these matters, and will continue to be discussing these matters with them.
“We fully expect to find appropriate solutions consistent with our respective requirements and status,” said Dujarric yesterday.
He said the secretary-general has limited authority and that there are issues that member states will have to solve.
“We’ve taken a number of mitigation measures from the secretariat point of view: smaller footprint, mandatory mask-wearing, mandatory vaccination for staff and also limiting the delegation size to 1+3 in the general assembly hall to ensure that the high-level meeting is as safe as possible,” he said.
The general assembly high-level week, or the general debate, begins on Tuesday. Dozens of heads of state, heads of government and ministers are expected to come to deliver speeches in person. Others will send in their recorded speeches that will be played in the general assembly hall. – Bernama, September 17, 2021
