Chinanews.com, March 6th. According to Reuters news, recently, several officials of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) attended a meeting on oil production policy in the Austrian capital Vienna, an interesting scene appeared. During the new crown pneumonia epidemic, in order to prevent contact with the infection, these officials did not embrace when they say hello, but replaced them with bumps.
OPEC Secretary General Mohamed Barkindo and Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak greeted each other by tapping each other's feet. (Image source: screenshots of OPEC social media accounts)
According to reports, as the epidemic has spread globally, participants have been asked not to shake hands, hug often and wash their hands frequently. When these officials and delegates entered OPEC headquarters, the posters said "avoid close contact" and "avoid handshake and hugs."
The report said that the organization ’s secretary general, Mohamed Barkindo, and Russian energy minister, Alexander Novak, touched each other ’s feet as an alternative way of greeting. The two then smiled at each other.
According to reports, as part of the precautionary measures, OPEC stated that it would keep the number of delegates attending the meeting to a minimum and bar reporters from entering the OPEC building.
An OPEC representative said, "I tell people that I will not shake hands with them."