Patrolling for peace in UN buffer zone

Cold sweats

A police officer from Xingtai City Public Security Bureau in Hebei province, Lan applied for a job with the UN police in September 2016 and arrived in Nicosia in March 2019.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic he has extended his yearlong stay until March, and will remain several months more if the global situation remains unstable.

The recent surge in cases in his home province is a stark reminder that the virus knows no boundaries. While he believes the Hebei authorities are doing their best to control the outbreak, he can't help worrying about his family.

Lan said some members of the UN peacekeeping force have been infected by COVID-19. UN police officers share the same work building with other peacekeepers, and they take precautionary measures against the virus, such as avoiding gatherings.

When the virus first appeared in the mission area, Lan and his Chinese colleagues insisted on wearing masks to work, but other colleagues didn't. Some officials with the peacekeeping force even said that wearing masks in the workplace could damage the UN's image.

Now all peacekeepers are encouraged to wear masks and take protective measures.

Lan said that the number of COVID-19 infections in Cyprus is increasing by several hundred each day, with the highest daily total reaching nearly 1,000. The country announced a second lockdown, from Jan 10 to 31, as the pandemic situation became severe.

Cyprus's Health Ministry said as of Jan 13 it had recorded a total number of 28,124 cases and 163 deaths. "I often tell my colleagues that the pandemic has changed the world and also our missions," he said.