Coronavirus: NIMASA says no entry for vessels without thermal screening facilities *Calls for strict compliance with NCDC directives

Coronavirus: NIMASA says no entry for vessels without thermal screening facilities

*Calls for strict compliance with NCDC directives

(By Udeme Clement):

In line with the directives from World Health Organization and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has banned all vessels without thermal screening facilities from entering and operating on Nigerian waters, in order to curtail spread of deadly coronavirus ravaging the whole world.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, made this known in a news release signed and made available to reporters.

According to him, the ban becomes imperative to prevent Nigeria from recording more cases of coronavirus through shipping business.

In that capacity, NIMASA
has developed guidance to support all vessels operating on the waterways in Nigeria.

NIMASA boss explained that the initiative is vital to enable shipping companies, as well as maritime stakeholders follow the guidelines provided by agencies of the United Nations, International Maritime Organisation, as well as International Labour Organisation on measures to curb spread of coronavirus.

He said, “At present, stringent measures are needed to prevent further spread of coronavirus, while not totally grounding the nation’s economy.

“At this trying period, we must protect the nation’s economy and pull through together.

“This is the reason we directed all maritime stakeholders to develop safety interventions and risk assessment guidelines for their personnel, also in their operations on areas of vulnerabilities.

“NIMASA will come up with publication to elaborate on the guidance for on-going offshore operations, which requires new crew from affected countries to ensure that pre-departure tests for COVID 19 are carried out on such individuals, self-isolation procedures for prescribed period are instituted for such new personnel before exposure to other person’s”.

He emphasised, “Only International marine vessel that had planned and informed of its call to a Nigerian Port not later than February 1, 2020, may be allowed to call on such port.

“Any international marine vessel, or member of its crew with travel history of visiting any COVID-19 affected country since February 1, 2020, will not be allowed to enter any Nigerian port, from March 30, 2020, till April 12, 2020. Further dates may be reviewed from time to time, to curb spread of the disease.

“Also, only International marine vessel with thermal screening facilities for passengers and crew may be allowed on our ports. The Shipping Master of such Vessel must submit all documents related to crew and passengers regarding their travel to COVID-19 affected countries.”

He went on, “All passengers and crew members are to fill Self Reporting Forms, as prescribed by Nigerian Port Health officers, because these health Officers will carry out thermal screening of all passengers/ crew members on board a vessel.
” Until clearance is given by port health, no passenger/ crew member will be allowed on our port.”

This new development is coming not long after
the Agency donated new Ambulances, four Hilux and new coaster buses to help in tackling the disease.

The Agency also donated cash, 20 ventilators and six fast intervention vessels to support transport logistics in the maritime sector of the economy.