9 employees of Council of Europe test positive for COVID-19

The office of the European Council has confirmed that nine employees of the structure have contracted the coronavirus. The organization took preventive measures against spreading of the epidemic, Report says, citing TASS.

According to the official representative of the organization, Daniel Holtgen, to date, they have nine confirmed cases of COVID-19 among employees, of which eight are no longer infectious. Most people with suspected [coronavirus] are also no longer contagious, and most of those who have come into contact with them have already come out of quarantine. To our great relief, we are not aware of any colleagues requiring hospitalization."

Holtgen said that now we have minimized the physical presence of staff in the buildings of the Council of Europe. The Secretariat has adapted well to the new working methods, ensuring a high level of business continuity for the implementation of the organization's mandate". 80-87% of the staff work remotely, depending on the tasks they perform.

Under the communique issued by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the eve of April 30, representatives of the Standing Committee, which includes PACE Chairman Hendrik Dams, vice-chairmen and heads of political groups and national delegations, will discuss the fight against the coronavirus pandemic in the member countries of the organization. The participants will also consider restrictions on citizens' freedoms against this situation, as well as the agenda of the upcoming summer session. According to the preliminary plan, it should take place on June 22-26.