Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Further to the Chamber’s daily briefing circulated on the 10th February which included a page for Advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in relation to the novel Corona Virus 2019-nCov, please see updated advice below. We advise all members to consider how to most appropriately address the five steps, using the available advice in the various links. Please do though contact the Chamber if anything is unclear or if further advice is required.
1) Follow national and international Government advice to the shipping and transport sector
The UK Government has stated that all guidance on the outbreak can be found below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-staff-in-the-transport-sector
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public?gclid=CjwKCAiA7t3yBRADEiwA4GFlI7ztsTeAxET-TK0jhujz9lCnhEotZfExdmUFDYfNBeBZuSiBmllpxBoCkLQQAvD_BwE
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-seafarer-careers-training-provision-and-information#covid-19--contingency-plan-and-guidelines-for-seafarers
The EU has released the following guidance “Advice for ship operators for preparedness and response to the outbreak of 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease” which can be found here:
https://www.healthygateways.eu/Novel-coronavirus
https://www.healthygateways.eu/Novel-coronavirus
2) Follow WHO advice and guidance
All advice from the WHO can be found here:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
3) Be aware of personal hygiene and follow NHS advice on germ avoidance etiquette
The NHS advises people to do the following:
Do
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin straight away
- wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
Don't
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
Call 111 now if you've been:
- to Wuhan or Hubei Province in China in the last 14 days (even if you do not have symptoms)
- to other parts of China, including Macau and Hong Kong, in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if it's mild)
- to Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Republic of Korea or Malaysia in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if it's mild)
- in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus
- Do not go to a GP surgery or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.
- Tell 111 about any recent travel and any symptoms you have.
All advice from the NHS can be found here:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
4) Be aware of relevant Port State guidance
Members are advised to be aware of relevant port state guidance of ports being visited.
For the UK that can currently be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-staff-in-the-transport-sector/covid-19-guidance-for-staff-in-the-transport-sector
Direct contact with the relevant port state authority is always advised as the best option.
5) Follow internal Company advice and guidance
Members are advised to follow internal company guidance to follow normal good practice as detailed by the NHS advice above.
For any decision on employees travelling, please consult with the FCO’s travel advice and guidance which he found here:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronaviruscoronavirus