VIC COVID-19 JOINT MESSAGE 2 – 11 March 2020
Joint message to all staff at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) from the Executive Heads of the four main Vienna-based organizations; UNOV/UNODC, IAEA, UNIDO and CTBTO.
Dear colleagues,
As Secretary-General António Guterres said in his letter to all UN staff worldwide on 8 March, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), has become the leading cause of upheaval today and concern for the future. He assured everyone that the health and safety of all staff, and of the people we serve, are at the core of everything we are doing to address the outbreak and the disruptions it has triggered. He said there was no time to lose in preparing for what may come next.
We have requested the VIC Crisis Management Team (CMT) to continue assessing the situation and recommend concrete measures to be adopted with a common approach across all VIC organizations. The CMT met again on Tuesday and continues to prepare carefully and prudently in a fast-moving environment, following guidance from our host country Austria, the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Headquarters in New York.
We know all of you are concerned for your own welfare and that of your families here in Austria and around the globe. We are a strong community of some 5,000 people from around 125 countries. Our strength comes from your professionalism, sense of duty and care for each other.
The health of staff, personnel and visitors in the VIC remains our top priority. With this in mind, we have agreed a number of measures to reduce the risk of exposure to those in the VIC and especially vulnerable groups, notably those over the age of 65 and those with health conditions that place them at greater risk.
1. All UN Information Service (UNIS) Visitors Service guided tours and lecture programmes are suspended until further notice.
2. UN personnel over 65 and those with serious chronic medical conditions are strongly encouraged to telecommute. Managers are encouraged to do everything possible to allow this.
3. Retirees will not have access to the VIC until further notice. The Association of Retired International Civil Servants in Vienna will provide support to its members, liaising with relevant VBO colleagues where necessary.
4. Private visitors will not have access to the VIC until further notice.
5. Interns will continue to have access.
6. Family members will continue to have access.
7. Official visitors will continue to have access to the VIC. Official visitors, including meeting participants, are strongly encouraged not to come to the VIC if they are over 65 or have serious chronic medical conditions.
8. In principle, meetings and events with more than 100 participants will not be held until further notice. Video conferencing is strongly encouraged.
All these measures come into effect from today, Wednesday 11 March 2020. These measures will be reviewed and updated as developments dictate. We appreciate that these measures may be an inconvenience; staff welfare and community responsibility drive our decision-making.
We encourage everyone to follow WHO guidelines on hygiene.
For medical emergencies in the VIC, contact Medical Service Ext 22222, or the Security Emergency Operations Centre on 99. For other medical care in the VIC during office hours, please contact: medical-admin.contact-point@iaea.org; Clinic reception – Ext: 22224
Outside the VIC: For emergencies call the Austrian emergency number 144, for general care seek out an urgent care clinic. For respiratory symptoms and travel history from risk areas call the Austrian Health hotline 1450 (German and English). For general care seek out an urgent care clinic (example: Akutversorgung Privatklinik Döbling, Heiligenstädter Straße 55-63, 1190 Vienna: +43 1 360 66-5599), or go to the emergency department of any of the Austrian general hospitals.
For the latest information from WHO on COVID-19 outbreak areas:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/
Advice and guidance from WHO on COVID-19
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.epi-win.com:
For up-to-date information and guidelines specifically for UN personnel, visit:
https://hr.un.org/page/coronavirus-disease-covid-19
We thank you for working as one, and we know we can count on your continued understanding and cooperation at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Ghada Waly
Designated Official for Austria
Director-General/Executive Director
United Nations Office at Vienna/
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Rafael Mariano Grossi
Director General
International Atomic Energy Agency
LI Yong
Director General
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Lassina Zerbo
Executive Secretary
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization