OSCE SMM denies rumours on suspending operation in Donbass due to COVID-19

Donetsk, Mar 19 – DAN. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine will continue is operation in Donbass despite the threat of spreading of the coronavirus infection, OSCE SMM media department head Dragana Nicolic Solomon told the Donetsk News Agency on Thursday.

“The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission will continue to fulfil its mandate across Ukraine (and in the DPR and LPR territories – eds DAN),” Nicolic Solomon said. “Understanding the COVID-19 threat to broad public, the Mission is taking all measures and precautions to minimise risks.”

Earlier, online reports alleged that the OSCE Mission in Donbass had suspended operation in the face of the coronavirus threat.

The Donetsk News Agency sent enquiries to the UN Office and the International Committee of the Red Cross Mission concerning their work schedule during the coronavirus crisis.

The World Health Organisation called the COVID-19 coronavirus infection a pandemic. The first coronavirus infection cases were recorded in China in late 2019.  As of now, the number of coronavirus contacts exceeded 200,000; of those more than 7,900 died and over 81,000 recovered and were discharged from hospital.*jk

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