On Olympic Day, June 23, 2020, the International Olympic Committee and the WHO launched a partnership to encourage individuals and communities around the world to become HealthYTTotters. The three partners and Olympic athletes highlight the need for global cooperation to stay healthy and reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19.
Olympic athletes will help inspire people to provide important information on public health, reduce epidemics, and provide information that promotes physical and mental health. This time the partnership with Olympians around the world demonstrates a variety of practices for staying healthy.
WHO Survey
A WHO survey found that many people who had severe COVID-19 disease were already living with the atypical disease (NCD) or at risk. The results emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including staying physically active, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol.
“We are pleased to partner with the International Olympic Committee to spread important health messages which will save lives. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Gherbayassas, Director-General of the WHO, said, “Olympians need to fight our health care system like the fight against COID-19, and people will help to support healthy people.”
Over the past six months, the COVID-19 epidemic has affected every corner of the globe and every aspect of human life. The world is looking for trusted organizations to work together and leaders to provide reliable, credible information from the source of their trust. Olympic athletes are a logo of strength which will act as a trusted messenger for this information.
IOC President Thomas Bach says, “Sports can save lives. We’ve seen over the last few months how important sports and physical activity are for health and wellness.
And by working together with the WHO and the United Nations, we can take one more step together. We will ask our Olympic athletes to help the world share the information they need now and the best practice. “
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres added:
“In this time of unprecedented challenges and change – from the Covid-19 epidemic to the ongoing struggle for caste and social justice, to the climate crisis – there has never been a greater need for world unity and hope.
The Olympic movement and its athletes have always excelled in humanity, and the United Nations has been pleased to work with the International Olympic Committee and the World Health Organization, urging people everywhere to unite and unite. “
The global partnership will work locally with the voices of Olympic athletes – voices that symbolize perseverance, dedication, and endurance – using the essential qualities of all individuals during this public health challenge.
As COVID-19 changes our daily routines and lives – how we talk to others, how we walk and practice – we should pay attention to our own mental and physical health and help others who may need extra help. Working together, on Olympic Day and every day the goal of the partnership is to stay healthy together.
United Nations Headquarters is moving towards “new normal”
COVID-19 has caused UN personnel, diplomats, members of civil society, and resident journalists to work remotely for several months. After they return to work at UN headquarters, they must comply with the temporary new workplace management measures: one-way pedestrian access, up to two people In the same elevator, people should wear masks when passing through, and the seat distance between colleagues should be at least two meters.
According to local health recommendations, since mid-March, the United Nations Headquarters building has basically remained closed, with only a few hundred people working on site. However, with the gradual relaxation of restrictions in New York City, the United Nations is planning to return to normal conditions in three phases and is preparing for it.
Atul Harley, Under-Secretary-General for Business Support, said: “The safety and health of United Nations personnel, representatives and all other personnel in the workplace is a top priority. The return of personnel to the workplace is subject to the regulations of New York City and New York State. Restriction policy, you can only return after the restriction is relaxed.”
The Business Support Department stated that the preparations for the first phase of rework are proceeding in an orderly manner. The staff of the Equipment and Commercial Activities Service Department is working non-stop to prepare the office and historic meeting rooms for the resumption of work.
Staff has been deployed to sterilize areas with high population density and high frequency of contact at the headquarters complex, including the 39-story Secretariat building, the General Assembly Hall, and the conference and library building.
hey are deeply cleaning all frequently used areas and surfaces, including lobby, elevators, toilets, furniture, door handles, switch panels, etc., as well as handrails, revolving doors, and counters.
The personnel of the Department of Operational Support are marking corridors and walls, planning new pedestrian routes, and ensuring that, in the case of queuing, personnel can still meet the requirement of maintaining a physical distance. They also installed hand disinfection stations in the lobby and other public areas, with at least one on each floor of the office building.
The first stage
Only the specified activities are allowed in the first stage. The maximum capacity of the headquarters building group is 400 people per day, while under normal circumstances it is 4200 people. For auxiliary buildings such as DC1 and DC2 buildings, the maximum occupancy rate will also remain at 10% of the normal level. This stage focuses on tasks that must be performed on-site. Many other critical tasks will continue to be completed remotely.
People who need to work on-site must wear masks to work, but no temperature check is required to enter the workplace. Before returning to the workplace, they do not need to be tested for COVID-19, but anyone who wants to be tested for the virus can contact the Department of Medical Insurance Management and Occupational Safety and Health through the self-report portal, or go to the public testing location in the residential area.
All staff should wear masks when traveling in public areas (such as halls, elevators, corridors, toilets, and passages on various floors), but they are generally not required to be worn at the desk.
In the first and second stages, regular administrative meetings or face-to-face meetings are not allowed.
To enter the first phase, you must wait until New York City relaxes the “suspend” order. At the same time, according to the recommendations of New York City and New York State, it is also necessary to wait until the local epidemic situation improves and the medical capacity is improved.
second stage
In the second phase, the maximum capacity of the headquarters complex will gradually increase to 1,100 people per day, about 40% of the normal level. The maximum occupancy rate of other buildings will be maintained at 40% to 50%. Shift work arrangements remain basically unchanged, and many personnel will continue to work remotely. To transition from the first stage to the second stage, you need to wait until the epidemic situation is further improved and the medical system in the city where you are located is further strengthened.
The third stage: the new normal
The third stage is the “new normal”, starting with the reduction of workplace risks to pre-epidemic levels, while New York City and New York State lifted restrictions related to COVID-19 (including allowing daycare services and public schools to reopen). The Department of Operational Support stated that it is too early to outline the working model adopted at this stage.
