UN cannot demand proof of COVID-19 vaccine at next week's General Assembly, Gutteres says

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres stressed on Wednesday that he cannot ask world leaders to show they have been vaccinated against COVID-19, after New York City officials said proof should be required for anyone entering the upcoming UN General Assembly Hall.

Dozens of heads of state and government and foreign ministers — accompanied by countless diplomats — are due to be in New York next week for the annual high-level gathering at the United Nations. Some leaders are staying away and sending a video statement instead because of the coronavirus pandemic.

New York City officials told the United Nations that under its rules people