The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has issued an updated Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers. This best practice was issued to help protect the health of seafarers and passengers as well as the general public.
The Guidance is for use on all types of ship and tries to consider the needs of both cargo and passenger ships. It is recognized that cargo ships are unlikely to have a fully trained doctor or nurse on board and that medical treatment on cargo ships will be provided by a crew member with training to STCW medical requirements.
Because a ship is a closed environment, after being at sea for 14 days or more, and if no seafarers
show signs of illness, a ship may be considered as free from COVID-19 and therefore safe. Any crew
change or visit from shore-based personnel, including a pilot, may introduce the virus on board despite best practice quarantine and testing. Seafarers should therefore remain vigilant for the symptoms of COVID-19 in themselves and others and report such symptoms immediately to the person responsible for medical care on board.
A copy of the full Guidance can be found at https://www.ics-shipping.org/docs/default-source/resources/covid19-guidance-for-ship-operators-for-the-protection-of-the-health-of-seafarers-v3.pdf?sfvrsn=4
Further guidance documents and posters in various languages can be found at https://www.icsshipping.org/free-resources/covid-19
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