Maritime advisory on novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

02 Apr 2020 / India

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an Order directing the Ministries / Departments of Government of India, State/Union Territory Governments and State / Union Territory Authorities to take effective measures for ensuring social distancing so as to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

The Order of MHA is to remain in force, in all parts of the country, for a period of 21 days with effect from 25 March 2020. In view of the lockdown of 21 days, the restrictions of provisional validity of annexes shall continue to be valid till further orders.

Further, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Govt. of India has issued following advisories, which are available in website https://www.mohfw.gov.in/
a. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for transporting a suspect / confirmed case of COVID- 19 dated 29.03.2020
b. Guidelines on disinfection of common public places including offices dated 29.03.2020
c. Video from experts from AIIMS, New Delhi sharing basic steps on hand washing to fight against COVID-19 dated 29.03.2020
d. D.O Letter from Home Secretary to all Secretaries of Government of India on movement of goods dated 29.03.2020
e. Minding our minds during the COVID-19 pandemic New dated 31.03.2020
5. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also has issued guidelines to help countries maintain essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic dated 30.03.2020 and is available at https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

The number of persons required to board the vessel is required to be kept to the bare minimum… …Personnel who may be required to board the vessel such as ship agents, cargo personnel, custom and immigration authorities etc. shall always be aware of the pandemic and have appropriate PPE while on board the vessel. All concerned are required to strictly comply with instructions and ensure that the shore personnel do not enter the accommodation area of the vessel unless absolutely necessary. The master of the vessel is also required to exercise due diligence to ensure that personnel entering accommodation area of the vessel is kept to the bare minimum and also ensure that the shore personnel are not permitted to remain inside the accommodation area after their work is completed. If the work entails substantial waiting period, the shore personnel shall need to remain outside the accommodation area during the waiting period.

Indian nationals representing Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and experts required to the board the vessel for troubleshooting and repairs etc. may be permitted to board the vessel in Indian ports with appropriate PPE…

(For information about operations in India, contact GAC India at [email protected])

Source: Extract from Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai, Addendum No.3 to DGS Order No.4 of 2020 dated 1 April 2020

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