UN restricts access to its complex in New York

Photo taken on Oct. 14, 2019 shows the United Nations headquarters in New York. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

**The UN decided to close its complex in New York City to the public and to temporarily suspend all guided tours over COVID-19 concern. **

UNITED NATIONS, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations has decided to restrict access to its complex in New York City amid fears for the spread of the coronavirus, a spokesman said Tuesday.

"Out of an abundance of caution and following the decision to reduce the number of staff present in the UN Secretariat, it has been decided to close the complex to the general public and to temporarily suspend all guided tours until further notice," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a note to correspondents.

These arrangements will come into effect on Tuesday at 8 p.m. New York time (0000 GMT Wednesday), he said.

The United Nations will continue to monitor the situation closely and further measures may be taken as circumstances evolve, said the spokesman, adding that the secretary-general takes the health and safety of UN staff as a matter of utmost priority and concern.

As of now, no cases of infection of the novel coronavirus have been reported amongst UN staff in New York, he said. ■