Vienna International Centre - Coronavirus Situation: Historical Developments Between March 12 and September 30, 2020

COVID-19 Measures at the Vienna International Centre: Live-Ticker of historical developments between March 12, 2020 and September 30, 2020 (information in chronological descending order):

September 30, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today one person who works for the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) but not at the headquarters in Vienna has tested positive for SARS CoV-2.
• The cumulative total number of personnel working for VBOs outside Vienna who have tested positive is six.
• The cumulative total number of VIC personnel is 57.
• Of the total who have tested positive, 51 people have already recovered.

September 30, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today that one person who works for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has tested positive for SARS CoV-2. There was no workplace exposure.
• The cumulative total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 58.
• The cumulative total number of those working for VBOs outside Vienna is six.
• Of the total who have tested positive, 51 people have already recovered.

September 29, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today one person who works for the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) but not at the headquarters in Vienna has tested positive for SARS CoV-2.
• The cumulative total number of personnel working for VBOs outside Vienna who have tested positive is six.
• The cumulative total number of VIC personnel is 57.
• Of the total who have tested positive, 51 people have already recovered.

September 28, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today two people working for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the VIC have contracted COVID-19.
• There was no workplace exposure.
• The cumulative total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 57.
• The cumulative figure among personnel working for VBOs outside Vienna is five. [This corrects from six in previous updates.]
• Of the total who have tested positive, 51 people have already recovered.

September 26, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today one person working for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has contracted COVID-19.
• Close contacts have been informed.
• The number among personnel working for VBOs outside Vienna is six.
• Of the total who have tested positive, 46 people have already recovered.

September 25, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today: 
  • two people working for VBOs at the VIC have contracted COVID-19.
  • One person works for UNIDO and the other for CTBTO.
  • There was no workplace exposure. This means the individual concerned was not at work during the time of potential infectivity.
• The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 54.
• The number among personnel working for VBOs outside Vienna is six.
• Of the total who have tested positive, 44 people have already recovered.

September 24, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today: 
  • three people working for VBOs at the VIC have contracted COVID-19.
  • There was no workplace exposure.
  • Of these three people, two are from the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and one from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 52.
• The number among personnel working for VBOs outside Vienna is six.
• Of the total who have tested positive, 41 people have already recovered.

September 21, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today: 
  • five people working for VBOs at the VIC have contracted COVID-19.
  • Close contacts have been informed.
• Of these five people, two are from CTBTO and one each from the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the UN Office at Vienna/UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOV/UNODC).
• The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 49.
• In addition, one participant attending meetings at the VIC has also been reported as positive. Following the established protocols, Medical Services contacted all close contacts and were informed in line with the requirements of local authorities.
• The number among personnel working for VBOs outside Vienna is six.
• Of the total number who have tested positive, 41 people have already recovered.

September 17, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today: 
  • one person working for the International Atomic Energy Agency at the VIC has contracted COVID-19.
  • Close contacts have been informed.
• The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 44.
• The number of cases among personnel working for VBOs outside Vienna is six.
• Of the total cases so far, 36 have already recovered.

September 16, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today, there are five new positive COVID-19 cases among the VBOs: 
  • three at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
  • one at the UN Office at Vienna/UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOV/UNODC) and
  • one at the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Close contacts have been informed.
• The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 43.
• The number of cases among personnel working for VBOs outside Vienna is six.
• Of the total cases so far, 36 have already recovered.

September 15, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today: 
  • there are three new positive COVID-19 cases among the VBOs, two at the UN Office at Vienna/UN Office on Drugs and Crime, including one not in Austria, and one at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
  • Close contacts have been informed.
• The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 38, of whom 32 have already recovered.
• The number of cases among personnel working for VBOs outside Vienna is six.

September 14, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today: 
  • there is one new positive COVID-19 case at the VIC, a contractor who works for the IAEA.
  • Close contacts have been informed.
• The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 35, of whom 26 have already recovered. The number of cases among personnel working for Vienna-based organizations outside Vienna is six.

September 10, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today: 
  • there is one new positive COVID-19 case at the VIC, a person who works for the International Atomic Energy Agency.
  • Close contacts have been informed.
• The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 35, of whom 26 have already recovered. The number of cases among personnel working for Vienna-based organizations outside Vienna is five.

September 9, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today: 
  • there is one new positive COVID-19 case at the VIC, a person who works for the International Atomic Energy Agency.
  • This case is associated with the cases previously reported in the Commissary, involving personnel who work there.
  • Close contacts had already been identified and informed.
  • The VIC Medical Service assesses that there was no risk to customers. The Commissary is a shop at the VIC for staff and diplomats.
• The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 34, of whom 26 have already recovered. The number of cases among personnel working for Vienna-based organizations outside Vienna is five.

September 8, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today: 
  • there is one new positive COVID-19 case at the VIC, a contractor for the International Atomic Energy Agency.
  • This case is associated with the cases previously reported in the Commissary, a shop for staff and diplomats. Close contacts had already been identified and informed.
• The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 33, of whom 24 have already recovered. The number of cases among personnel working for Vienna-based organizations outside Vienna is five.

September 7, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today there are seven new positive COVID-19 cases at the VIC: 
  • Six of the people work for the International Atomic Energy Agency at the VIC.
  • The seventh person works for the United Nations Office at Vienna/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
• Close contacts of the seven have been informed.
• Almost all the cases relate to the IAEA case reported on 4 September, which was in the VIC Commissary, a shop for staff and diplomats.
• All staff working at the Commissary were tested and a deep cleaning of relevant areas took place on 4 September.
• Staff who tested positive and close contacts are in quarantine.
• The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 32, of whom 24 have already recovered. The number of cases among personnel working for Vienna-based organizations outside Vienna is five.

September 4, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported there are two new positive COVID-19 cases:
  • One (1) person is a staff member at the International Atomic Energy Agency at the VIC.
  • The other (1) is a contractor at the Agency's Seibersdorf Laboratories.
• The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 25, of whom 20 have already recovered.
• The number of cases among personnel working for Vienna-based organizations outside Vienna is five.
• Close contacts have been informed.

September 3, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported today there are five new positive COVID-19 cases at the VIC:
  • Two (2) at the United Nations Office at Vienna/UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOV/UNODC),
  • Two (2) at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and
  • One (1) at the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
• The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 24, of whom 20 have already recovered.
• The close contacts of all five people have been identified and informed.
• UNIDO has also noted a positive case at a non-VIC headquarters field location.
• This brings the total number of positive cases involving non-VIC staff outside of Austria to four.

August 26, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported on Wednesday there is a new positive COVID-19 case at the VIC working at UNOV/UNODC.
• UNIDO also registered a positive case at a non-VIC headquarters field location.
• All close contact persons have been informed.
• This brings the total number of positive cases involving VBOs personnel to 22. 16 have already recovered..

August 24, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reported on Monday there are three new positive COVID-19 cases; two in the United Nations Office at Vienna/UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOV/UNODC) and one at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• All close contact persons have been informed.
• This brings the total number of positive cases involving VIC personnel to 20. 16 have already recovered.

August 20, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service reports there is a positive COVID-19 case involving a UNIDO staff member, whose symptoms are not severe.
• There was no workplace exposure because the person was on holiday and not at work.

July 27, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre Medical Service has been informed that a person working at the International Atomic Energy Agency has tested COVID-19 positive.
• Over the weekend (July 25/July 26), the staff member developed symptoms and took a test, the result of which was available today, Monday, July 27, 2020.
• The Medical Service has identified, contacted and advised all staff listed as primary contacts of the affected staff member, and will continue to monitor them.

June 25, 2020

• The Vienna International Centre (VIC) Medical Service has been informed by the Austrian authorities today that there is one suspected COVID-19 case linked to one of the groups at the VIC kindergarten.
• That group will not attend kindergarten from Friday 26 June, at least until the test result on the individual concerned is known.
• Between March 16 and May 15 most of the staff of the Vienna International Centre worked from home.
• Since Friday, 15 May, the gradual return to ""normal operations"" has been implemented.
• The VIC Medical Service previously reported a cumulative total number of COVID-19 cases among VIC staff of 10 cases.

May 13, 2020

• The Executive Heads of the four main Vienna-based United Nations organizations (VBOs), Waly, Grossi, Li and Zerbo are addressing their colleagues with the following message.
• "Since Monday 16 March, the vast majority of you have worked remotely. Others have secured and maintained the VIC. Many of you have juggled your work with home-schooling for your children. Many have faced other challenges. Yet throughout not only have we maintained normal operations we have added new tasks to help people cope with the emergency.
• Allow us again to express appreciation for your efforts in these difficult times. We offer condolences to those of you from our global community who have lost loved ones or suffered in other ways in this human crisis.
• We know this remains an anxious, unpredictable time and understand that some of you may have concerns about returning to the VIC.
• As you know, our Host Country has begun to ease restrictions on movement and the economy, while emphasizing the need for caution because, while the figures are encouraging, the pandemic is far from over.
• Throughout, we have coordinated with the Austrian authorities and adhered to their regulations and guidelines. This means we too can begin a gradual return to the VIC, starting with limited numbers and building up as conditions and medical advice allow. Many of you will continue to work remotely for the time being. Stringent measures have been put in place at the VIC to keep everyone as safe as possible. The full plan we have approved will be available to you online.
• Each organization has its own particular mission and operational needs, including as we return. Yet we remain united by the determination to work together to support each other, help Member States overcome this crisis and build back better, using the Sustainable Development Goals as our blueprint for action across the world.
• We salute you for your commitment and flexibility during these challenging times. We look to all of you, wherever you will be working, to continue in that same collegial, innovative and productive spirit as we embark on a new way of operating in familiar surroundings. Thank you."

March 30, 2020

• There are two additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 involving staff members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• On March 27th, the Austrian authorities confirmed that two more persons had tested positive for COVID-19, who had not been in the building since 13 March. They are both under self-quarantine and recovering from home.
• In one case, contact tracing by the Austrian authorities and the VIC Medical Service has identified individuals who were in close contact with the person and have been contacted by the authorities with instructions to self-quarantine for 14 days. Personnel not contacted by the Austrian authorities are not considered to be at risk.
• In the second case, the person was under self - quarantine since March 20th. A risk assessment conducted by local authorities and the VIC Medical Service has determined that there is no additional risk of exposure to other personnel.
• On Monday, 30 March, the authorities confirmed that a United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. He is doing well at home with mild symptoms. The person had been working from home for seven days. Close contact tracing was conducted by Austrian health authorities and identified one contact person for observation. A risk assessment conducted by Austrian authorities and VIC Medical Service has determined that due to working from home, there is no risk of exposure to other personnel.
• These latest three cases bring the cumulative total of COVID-19 among VIC personnel to nine cases.
• Update: As of Tuesday, 31 March, there is one more case of COVID-19 involving VIC personnel
• The Austrian authorities confirmed that a person working at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was COVID-19 positive. The person was tested on 27 March and had been out of the workplace since 6 March 2020. Contact tracing is being conducted. There was no risk to any colleagues at the workplace. This brings the cumulative total of COVID-19 among VIC personnel to 10 cases.

March 26, 2020

• In addition to the two previously reported cases, there are now three additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 involving staff members of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), one at the VIC and two at Seibersdorf.
• Furthermore, there is a confirmed case involving a staff member at the UN Office at Vienna (UNOV).
• Here are the details, according to UNIS United Nations Information Service:
• On Tuesday, 24 March, the Austrian authorities confirmed that a person had tested positive for COVID-19, working in the VIC.
• The person had been working from home for three days prior to the onset of symptoms, and a risk assessment conducted by Austrian authorities and VIC Medical Service has determined that because of the remote working, there is no additional risk of exposure to other personnel.
• He is under observation in the hospital with mild to moderate symptoms.
• On Tuesday, 24 March, the authorities confirmed that a UNOV staff member has tested positive for COVID-19.
• He is doing well at home with mild symptoms. The person had been working from home for nine days.
• Close contact tracing was conducted by Austrian health authorities and identified two contact persons for observation.
• A risk assessment conducted by Austrian authorities and VIC Medical Service has determined that due to working from home, there is no risk of exposure to other personnel.
• On Wednesday, 25 March, the Austrian authorities confirmed that two people had tested positive for COVID-19, working in Seibersdorf Laboratories.
• They had been in separate self-quarantine since returning from the same risk area, and a risk assessment conducted by the Austrian authorities and VIC Medical Service has determined that there is no additional risk of exposure to other personnel.

March 21, 2020

• The following message was sent to all personnel at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) after Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced the measures that began on Monday 16 March to tackle COVID-19 were being extended until Monday 13 April 2020.
  • All personnel based at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) or elsewhere in Austria are required to adhere to the Austrian Government's extended measures until Monday 13 April 2020. This will be reviewed as necessary.
  • Stay home unless you are approved to come to the VIC to carry out critical tasks.
• Second positive case at VIC
• This is an important message from the VIC Medical Service regarding COVID-19:
• There is a confirmed case of COVID-19 involving a staff member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the VIC.
• On Friday 20 March, the authorities confirmed that the person had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus. The person works on the 16th floor of the A building and was last in the VIC on 13 March. He is recovering at home and is under quarantine.
• Close contact tracing has been initiated by authorities, and individuals among VIC personnel are being contacted by authorities with instructions to self-quarantine for 14 days. Close contact is defined as 15 minutes or more face-to-face interaction at a distance of 2 metre or less or direct contact (like a handshake).
• Personnel not contacted by the Austrian authorities are not considered to be at risk.
• The UNIS United Nations Information Service is in contact with Austrian authorities and will provide an update to this case if needed.
• World Health Organization and VIC Medical Services advise to continue to adhere to the general respiratory illness prevention measures, notably washing hands and social distancing.
• The first confirmed case, announced on 17 March, involved a cleaning lady who was already recovering when the case was reported.

March 17, 2020

• There is a confirmed case of COVID-19 involving a female member of the cleaning staff at the VIC, the VIC Medical Service informs.
• The cleaner, who is employed by an outside contractor, fell ill at the VIC on 2 March 2020 after office hours and was assisted by three members of the UN Security and Safety team.
• The cleaner worked on 13 rooms on the 10 th floor of the VIC's B building, which is part of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• The relevant staff have been informed. The cleaner has not been in the building since 2 March.
• Local Viennese health authorities initially diagnosed influenza.
• Late evening on Monday 16 March, the authorities informed the VIC Medical Service that the person had tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus.
• The person has been evaluated at a local hospital and is recovering.
• ""The VIC Medical Service assesses the risk to the first responders, who were wearing protective clothing, as zero. None of them has developed any symptoms over the last 14 days. There is no residual risk to personnel at the VIC."" the UNIS United Nations Information Service Team further reports.
• Close contact tracing has identified no further individuals among VIC personnel. Close contact is defined as 15 minutes face-to-face interaction at a distance of one metre or less.

March 12, 2020

• In order to ensure the safety of the approximately 5000 international diplomats, scientists and support staff working at the VIC, the heads of the 4 largest organizations today decided on further measures and issued a joint declaration.
• Taking into account the measures taken by the Austrian authorities and the VIC Medical Service, the four largest Vienna-based Organizations (VBOs), UN in Vienna/UNODC, IAEA, UNIDO and CTBTO PrepCom have decided and ordered that all staff should work from home from Monday 16 March to Friday 3 April.
• Each VBO will be in touch with those not in a position to work remotely.
• Only essential or critical staff, as identified by each VBO, may come to work at the VIC.
• Non-essential staff and all other visitors will not have access to the VIC during this period.
• This measure will be reviewed prior to 3rd April, taking into account the evolving situation and the recommendations of local authorities.
• The instruction applies only to those based in Austria.
• Those VBOs with field operations will be in touch with colleagues in those locations.
• The four Executive Heads further instruct all personnel to halt all non-essential duty travel with effect from Monday 16 March 2020. Essential duty travel is subject to approval by the Executive Head of the respective VBO.
• These measures are taken on clear medical advice and with the welfare of staff and their families as the central priority.
• As part of the community of our Host Country, Austria, we can all play our part in helping to try to contain the spread of COVID-19 and reducing the risk of transmission at the VIC and elsewhere.
• Already yesterday the "heads" announced a series of measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection for all those people at the VIC, and particularly vulnerable groups.
• The most vulnerable groups are people over 65 and those with health problems who are at higher risk.
• "The health of employees and visitors to the VIC remains a top priority,"" said a press release from UNIS United Nations Information Service.
• The measures are as follows:
  1. As part of the measures affecting the public, the Visitors Service of the UN Information Service (UNIS) has suspended guided tours and lecture programmes.
  2. Private visitors are not allowed to enter the VIC.
  3. As a general rule, meetings and events with more than 100 people will not be held.
• The measures will take effect immediately, until further notice.
• On Sunday, 15 March, the UNIS United Nations Information Service concretised the specifications of the main Vienna-based UN organisations as follows:
• "The main Vienna-based UN organizations at the Vienna International Centre issued the following urgent COVID-19 message to all personnel."
• "All personnel based at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) or elsewhere in Austria are required to follow the Austrian Government’s latest urgent appeal to stay at home and not to meet anyone from now until Sunday 22 March. This will be reviewed as developments dictate."
• "Management of the four main Vienna-based organizations (VBOs) continue to take measures to reduce still further the presence of personnel in the VIC to the lowest achievable number possible and, in so doing, to reduce the risk of virus transmission", the statement reads.

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