Mark Henley Photography

Seen through a window, an official controls access to the Assembly Hall at the UN, which due to its large size is being used as the venue for the Human Rights Council meeting for the first time since pandemic lockdown forced it to suspend deliberations almost exactly three months earlier. Press Access to the floor was limited. Health security measures - so certain delegations couldn’t complain and delay further the restart - included tight control of room and working spaces - carefully socially-distanced two metre circles around each participant, separate entries and exits, circular clockwise movement in the room, as well as everyone being masked by order. All elevators for single use only - the same for staircases and lobbyways, patrolled by a permanent team of cleaners. The UN also hosted it's first hybrid live/zoom press conference. The new normal.