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Virus Outbreak Threatens Over 100 UN-Hosted Events in New York

Virus Outbreak Threatens Over 100 UN-Hosted Events in New York

(Bloomberg) -- The United Nations is advising its member states to postpone or cancel more than 100 planned events ranging from counterterrorism to sustainable development at its New York headquarters in coming months due to coronavirus.

The UN this week closed to the general public its iconic building in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, ending all guided tours until further notice. It has since begun advising its 193 member states against holding “non-mandated” events planned for March and April, according to an email seen by Bloomberg News.

No UN staffers in New York have tested positive for the coronavirus as of Tuesday, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, but given the organization’s global footprint, the potential for exposure is significant. UN missions were told they could go forward on “mandated events” depending on how critical they are to operations on the ground.

The move comes as New York state is quickly ramping up its response to the outbreak. Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Tuesday that more than 173 cases had been confirmed statewide, with more than 100 of those cases were recorded in New Rochelle, a community in Westchester County north of New York City. The annual New York auto show, which organizers say delivers a $330 million boost to the local economy, was delayed from next week until August.

While most of the UN events are smaller gatherings, featuring dozens of participants, earlier this month the organization scaled back an annual two-week event promoting women’s empowerment to just one day.

The conference, which usually attracts over 10,000 visitors, was instead limited to a smaller session on Monday. Attendants reaffirmed support for a women’s rights declaration signed in Beijing 25 years ago while pledging to step up action to implement gender equality.

To contact the reporter on this story: David Wainer in New York at dwainer3@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Bill Faries at wfaries@bloomberg.net, Justin Blum

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