26/02/2020
CORONAVIRUS ONBOARD PREVENTIVE MEASURES
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO RAISE THE AWARENESS AMONGST CREW MEMBERS SO THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE RISKS, HOW THE VIRUS CAN BE SPREAD, AND PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN. THE IMO HAS PROVIDED SOME ADVICE FOR SEAFARERS AND SHIPPING. MANY FLAG STATES
HAVE ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING SEAFARERS ARE PROPERLY INFORMED.
IN GENERAL, SHIPS’ CREWS ARE RECOMMENDED TO:
1. COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE PORT HEALTH AUTHORITIES AND MAKE AN HONEST DISCLOSURE OF THE CREW HEALTH ONBOARD.
2. PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE. SOME OF THE GOOD PRACTICES MENTIONED BY THE WHO ARE:
WASH HANDS FREQUENTLY AND AVOID TOUCHING EYES, NOSE AND MOUTH.
PRACTICE RESPIRATORY HYGIENE (COVER COUGHS AND SNEEZES WITH FLEXED ELBOW OR TISSUE, DISCARD TISSUE IMMEDIATELY INTO A CLOSED BIN AND WASH HANDS).
MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING. KEEP AT LEAST 1 METER (3 FEET) DISTANCE BETWEEN YOURSELF AND OTHER PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE COUGHING, SNEEZING AND HAVE A FEVER.
IF YOU HAVE A COUGH AND FEVER, USE A SURGICAL MASK, AVOID CLOSE CONTACT WITH OTHERS AND SEEK MEDICAL HELP EARLY.
PRACTISE FOOD SAFETY, SUCH AS BY COOKING THE FOOD ITEMS THOROUGHLY.
3. WHEN CALLING PORTS IN CHINA AND OTHER AREAS WITH ONGOING TRANSMISSION:
REDUCE SHIP-SHORE ACTIVITIES BY REDUCING SHIP-SHORE EXCHANGES, BOARDING INSPECTIONS, INTERNAL AUDITS, EXTERNAL AUDITS, MAINTENANCE AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. UNNECESSARY BOARDING VISITS SHOULD BE PROHIBITED.
STRENGTHEN GANGWAY OR LADDER CONTROL BY IMPLEMENTING STRICTER ISPS PROCEDURES. IT WOULD INCLUDE ENHANCING THE STAIRWAY CONTROL, CHECKING THE CREDENTIALS OF ALL PERSONNEL BOARDING THE SHIP, AND CHECKING THEIR TEMPERATURES AND LOGGING IT.
IF ANY SHORE PERSONNEL ARE SUSPECTED TO HAVE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS ACCESS SHOULD BE DENIED.
RESTRICT ENTRY OF AGENTS, TALLY, FOREMEN, SUPPLIERS AND OTHER FOREIGN PERSONNEL INTO THE CREW LIVING AREA TO REDUCE CONTACT BETWEEN SHIP AND SHORE PERSONNEL.
STRENGTHEN SELF-PREVENTION, E.G. BY WEARING SURGICAL MASKS, AND NOT INTERACTING WITH OTHERS ONBOARD OR ASHORE IF THERE ARE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS.
MAINTAIN GOOD HYGIENE IN ACCOMMODATION AREAS, E.G. BY FREQUENTLY CLEANING DESKS, DOOR HANDLES, SWITCHES, TELEPHONES, ETC.
RESTRICT SHORE LEAVES IN PORTS.
AFTER DEPARTURE FROM PORT, REPORT ANY OCCURRING SYMPTOMS IMMEDIATELY TO THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF MEDICAL CARE ONBOARD.
