The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore on Monday (16 March) issued an update  to control the advancement of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) within the republic’s maritime industry:

MARITIME DECLARATION OF HEALTH 

This circular, which will come into effect from 16 March 2020, 2359hrs, brings to the attention of the National Environment Agency’s (Port Health Office) requirements to submit the Maritime Declaration of Health to the Port Health Office. These requirements are applicable for the following vessels: 

1. All arriving vessels with crew/passengers with recent travel history to ASEAN countries1, mainland China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom within the past 14 days; or 
2. All arriving vessels that have called at ports in ASEAN countries, mainland China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom within the past 14 days.  

This declaration is part of the measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) into Singapore. It must be submitted to the National Environment Agency’s (Port Health Office) 12 hours before arrival at Singapore Port. 

These requirements are listed in the National Environment Agency’s (Port Health Office) circular as attached in ANNEX A. The Maritime Declaration of Health Form is attached in ANNEX B. 1 ASEAN countries besides Singapore: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

The master of the ship is recommended to implement the following additional precautionary measures: 

1. Educate crew/passengers of the symptoms of COVID-19, which are: 
2. 1. Fever (i.e. temperature above 37.5 degree Celsius);
   2. Runny nose;
   3. Cough; and
   4. Shortness of breath
      
3. Carry out daily temperature checks for all crew/passengers at least twice daily;

4. Isolate unwell crew/passengers when his/her temperature is above 37.5 degree Celsius. The unwell crew/passengers should also wear a mask; and

5.  Disinfect common areas and rooms in the vessel before arrival in Singapore. The disinfection may be conducted by the ship’s crew en-route to Singapore. You can refer to the Interim Guidelines for Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection of Areas Exposed to Confirmed Case(s) of COVID-19 in NonHealthcare Premises issued by NEA for guidance on the disinfection protocols, if needed. See ANNEX C. 

Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to the Port Health Office at Tel: (65) 6222-2585. 

The Port Marine Circular 10 of 2020 dated 13 Mar 2020 will be cancelled on 16 March 2020, 2359hrs. 

View the full release and all relevant attachments here.

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 17 March, 2020