The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is intensifying measures aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) through ports.
On top of the usual thermal scanning of passengers and port personnel in all ports, PPA has instructed all its port management offices to provide passengers, port users and other stakeholders necessary disinfecting supply such as antibacterial solutions and sanitizers.
All PPA frontline service personnel are also directed to wear face masks as these workers are the most vulnerable medium of transmission due to their face-to-face transactions with all port users.
PPA general manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago said the port authority has likewise ordered the Human Resource Management Department to issue a memorandum postponing, deferring or even cancelling all social events and gatherings in all PPA ports.
“Fumigation and disinfection of all Passenger Terminal Buildings (PTBs) and PPA offices nationwide are also ongoing in order to reduce the risk of a sustained transmission via the seaports,” Santiago said in a statement.
“All PPA-related events such as trainings and anniversary celebrations are suspended until further notice,” Santiago added.
“The policy on no disembarkation and expected vessel change-crew involving Filipinos, remain in force and if needed, all berthing privileges of vessels coming from highly-infected countries shall be canceled,” the PPA chief said.
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PPA has been showing infomercials in all its offices and PTBs to inform and guide both employees and port users nationwide of the various safety measures against COVID-19.
Proper disinfection and monitoring of cargoes on short-haul voyages is also in place while a highly accurate passenger information system for easy contact-tracing and an isolated holding and testing area for COVID-19 symptomatic port user are in place in all ports.
PPA is also considering a centralized reporting system for better coordination with the Department of Health, Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Customs, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, ship agents, shipowners, and all other shipping and logistics stakeholders.
“Ports are main gateways and PPA needs to make sure that these remain COVID-19 free. The measures being put into place will definitely slowdown port processes, and we are asking the sea-traveling public for patience and understanding as we are working towards the resolution of this major health concern,” Santiago stressed.
To date, PPA ports remain in full commercial operations and no person showing the symptoms of the COVID-19 has so far been detected.
International cargo vessels are also being strictly screened at anchorage prior to docking. Vessels with free pratique—the license given to a ship to enter a port on the assurance she is free of contagious diseases—are allowed to dock; those without are held in preventive anchorage for 14 days before being allowed to berth.
Photo courtesy of PPA
