First confirmed case of COVID-19 at the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna

The OSCE today has recorded its first case of COVID-19 involving a staff member at the Secretariat. All necessary protocols have been followed as set out by the Austrian authorities, and the staff member’s condition is already improving.

Key areas within the Secretariat have been disinfected. Further measures for accessing the building have been implemented and communicated internally to all staff.  

The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, in consultation with the Austrian host authorities and the OSCE Troika of current, previous and incoming Chairmanships (Albania, Slovakia and Sweden respectively), has had staff work from home effective 16 March, cancelled non-essential duty travel, postponed events and temporarily suspended its visiting group programme for the coming weeks.

The Albanian OSCE Chairmanship has also cancelled meetings of the Permanent Council and Turkey, Chair of the Forum for Security Co-operation has cancelled the meetings of the Forum for Security Co-operation in line with guidance from the Austrian host authorities, until further notice.

In the meantime, the OSCE’s essential work continues in accordance to its business continuity plans. The OSCE Secretary General is in contact with the OSCE Troika officials and heads of Executive Structures on a regular basis with the aim of minimizing disruption to the Organization’s operations during this challenging time.