COVID-19: NIMASA Bans International Vessels Without Thermal Screening Facilities
…Introduces guidelines to vessels calling at Nigerian ports
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Sunday said that only international marine vessels having thermal screening facilities for passenger and crew may be allowed in Nigeria.
The agency also said that Shipping Agent/Master of Vessels must submit all documents related to crew and passengers regarding their travel to or from the COVID-19 affected countries.
The Director General of the agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh in a statement issued by the Deputy Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Isichei Osamgbi said the measure was to check the spread of the dreaded coronavirus through shipping activities.
Jamoh said the agency has developed Guidance to support all types of ships that operate in the Nigerian maritime domain, adding that all vessels without thermal screening facilities have been banned from operating in Nigerian waters .
He explained that the measure was based on the advice provided by United Nations agencies including the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), as well as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
According to him the outbreak has necessitated stringent measures that can help curb the spread while not totally grounding the Nigerian economy.
“These are trying times and we must pull through together that is why we have directed that all maritime stakeholders develop risk assessments and safety intervention guidelines for their personnel and operations on the areas of vulnerabilities of their maritime operations that can be affected by the COVID 19 pandemic including but not limited to offshore operations such as crew/personnel changes, visits from onshore and other locations for provision of supplies, maintenance and repairs etc” Jamoh stated.
He also disclosed that the Agency would be coming up with the publication that would elaborate on the guidance which also includes schedule for ongoing offshore operations requiring new crew or crew changes from affected countries to ensure that pre-departure tests for COVID 19 are conducted on such persons, and self-isolation procedures for the prescribed period are instituted for such new crew/personnel before exposure to other personnel.
Jamoh also pointed out that only international marine vessel which had planned and informed of their call into a Nigerian Port not later than 1st February, 2020 may be allowed to call on such port adding that any international marine vessel or any member of its crew or passenger therein having a travel history of visiting any of the COVID-19 affected countries since 1st Feb, 2020; shall not be permitted to enter any Nigerian port from 30th March, 2020 till 12th of April, 2020. And any further dates as may be reviewed from time to time.
The NIMASA DG also pointed out that it was important for all passengers and crew members to fill the Self Reporting Form as prescribed by Nigerian Port Health Authorities adding that Port Health Officers (PHO) shall carry out thermal screening of all the passengers and crew members on board ship and until clearance is given by the PHO no passengers and or crew members would be allowed ashore.
It would be recalled that in the fight against the deadly COVID-19 NIMASA recently has donated 20 ventilators as well as 6 fast intervention vessels to facilitate transport logistics support in the maritime sector.
The Agency also donated 4 fully equipped brand new Ambulances, 4 Hilux and four 36 sitter coaster buses to facilitate land based logistics in the Federal capital Territory, Lagos, Delta, Rivers Cross Rivers and Kaduna States along with cash donations to some of the states who have reported cases of the pandemic.
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