Exposed To COVID-19, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres Undergoes Self-isolation

JAKARTA - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was exposed to the coronavirus on Tuesday (December 7) by a United Nations official who already has COVID-19 and is isolated for the next few days, diplomatic sources said.

As a result of these conditions, Guterres, 72, has canceled an upcoming face-to-face meeting, sources told AFP as quoted by CNA December 8.

Originally, the UN Secretary-General would be the guest of honor of the United Nations Press Association at its annual gala in Manhattan, United States of America this Wednesday.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, he will participate in a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the challenges of terrorism and climate change, chaired by Niger President Mohamed Bazoum.

Bazoum, whose state currently holds the council presidency, arrived in New York on Tuesday and is expected to stay until the end of the week, when he heads to Washington.

Separately, the secretary general's spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, declined to comment immediately on Guterres' condition.

Dujarric indicated a few days ago that Guterres recently received his third dose of an anti-coronavirus vaccine, after long doubts about the feasibility of receiving a booster shot, while millions of people around the world have yet to receive their first shot.