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05 Feb 2020 / South Africa

Procedure for Novel Coronovirus health risk alert

South Africa’s National Ports Authority Transnet has issued instructions for the procedure for Health Risk Alert related to the Novel Coronavirus.

  • The following procedure has been developed to prevent the spread of any infectious diseases. The quarantine period will be confirmed by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and Port Health based on their assessment:
  • Prior to boarding a vessel, TNPA pilots are to contact Port Control and confirm Free Pratique has been received, and enquire about the past ten ports of call. TNPA Security also to check with ISPS pre-arrival notification.
  • Upon boarding, confirm health status of crew with the Master.
  • During the warning period, all South African citizens are to refrain from consuming food or liquids on board vessels from high risk areas. Gifts of food should be accepted.
  • If a vessel reports infection on-board, Port Health must be informed immediately. The vessel may dock but no persons will be permitted to go on-board until Port Health had boarded and cleared the vessel. If a TNPA pilot is on-board they should report to the TNPA Clinic immediately.
  • All off port limit crew transfers from affected areas to be carefully screened. No crew to be taken off a vessel without obtaining Port Health clearance.
  • Port Health declaration must be completed and is required for all Off Port Limit transfers.
  • Medical evacuations from vessels from affected areas must be screened by Port Health before disembarkation.
  • Captain of the vessel to confirm in writing if any stowaway sweep was completed when departing last port of call. A stowaway search may be requested when alongside. Vessels must use stowaway sweep companies trained by Port Health at the vessel’s cost.
  • Security to inform Port Control of any reported stowaways from vessels calling from affected areas. The vessel may enter the port and the only person permitted to board is the TNPA Pilot. All other persons may board after clearance has been received by Port Health and is alongside.
  • Masters must report stowaways if calling from an affected area. Vessel to remain at anchor until stowaways are examined and cleared by Port Health.
  • Strict gangway watched to be maintained at all times.
  • Separate lists of vessels calling from affected areas are to be maintained for record purposes.
  • Galley waste of vessels from affected areas to be incinerated and not accepted ashore.
  • Additional security to be deployed by agent of vessel for contaminated vessels. No-one must be allowed on-board a contaminated vessel except Port Health. Only after clearance has been received persons will be permitted to board/disembark.
  • All yachts arriving from affected areas must be reported to SAPS and Port Health. The Skipped to be informed to remain isolated on-board until cleared by Port Health.
  • If possible, contaminated vessels should be allocated an isolated berth away from other vessels.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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