The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued new guidance with the intention of helping the global shipping industry combat the spread of the coronavirus.
The guidance is produced in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the International Maritime Health Association (IMHA).
The document contains advice on managing port entry restrictions, offers practical protective measures against coronavirus for seafarers, including an outbreak management plan, and also provides information around important topics including pre-boarding screening, education, and what to do in suspected cases of infection.
The document also offers advice on hygiene measures for seafarers on ships, managing high risk exposure, case handling, isolation and cleaning, disinfection and waste management. The guidance also comes with posters which can be printed out and placed onboard ships as well as a sample pre-boarding passenger locator form and a covid-19 support and logistics supplies list.
The guidance document will be distributed to seafarers through the International Chamber of Shipping’s network of national member associations, and it is free to download from the ICS website.
