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WHO public health checklist for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in ships, sea ports
and inland ports
ABSTRACT
This checklist helps to identify the necessary measures to be implemented to mitigate infection transmission among travellers and staff at sea ports and inland ports in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It features key questions and considerations for gauging the capacity of responding to COVID-19 transmission risks and informing on reducing them at ports and in vessels. It does so in the form of a structured questionnaire. The guidance will have particular relevance for National International Health Regulations Focal Points and competent authorities at the point of entry, including relevant representatives of port authority/ies of the country such as public health authorities, and representatives from other sectors, including law enforcement, customs and migration.
Keywords : COVID-19; PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES; COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, EMERGING; DISEASE TRANSMISSION, INFECTIOUS; PANDEMICS; PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMICS
WHO/EURO:2021-3468-43227-60583
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CONTENTS
Page
Acknowledgements....................................................................................................................... iii
Introduction ................................................................................................................................1
Objective .................................................................................................................................1
Target audience .......................................................................................................................1
Background, and scope and purpose ........................................................................................1
Checklist .....................................................................................................................................1
Instructions on completing the questionnaire ...........................................................................1
Checklist index........................................................................................................................2
Checklist questions..................................................................................................................3
References ................................................................................................................................ 18
Annex ....................................................................................................................................... 20
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Acknowledgments
This document was developed by the Country Capacity Monitoring and Evaluation (CME) unit of the Country Health Emergency Preparedness (CPI) Department, WHO Regional Office for Europe in consultation with WHO headquarters: Ute Enderlein, Ihor Perehinets, Tanja Schmidt, Sara Barragán Montes, Jennifer Addo and Emma Honkala. Special thanks go to colleagues at WHO headquarters for their technical contributions: Ninglan Wang and David Bennitz.
WHO public health checklist for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in sea travel page 1
Introduction
Objective
The objective of this checklist is to operationalize WHO guidance on travel and transport at ports in the context of COVID-19, by featuring key questions and considerations for gauging the capacity to protect travellers on passenger and non-passenger vessels and port staff from transmission of the COVID-19 virus while sailing on ships, working at the port, and throughout seafarers’ journey (home to ship and ship to home).
Target audience
The target audience is National International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Points and competent authorities at the Points of Entry (PoE), including port authorities and public health authorities, and ship operators.
Background, scope and purpose
In response to the pandemic Member States requested WHO to develop operational tools tailored to their needs to mitigate infection transmission among travellers, seafarers and port staff and to determine their level of readiness in the context of COVID-19. PoE authorities, jointly with IHR NFPs, should analyse the results of the checklist to develop action plans to overcome weaknesses and challenges related to the COVID-19 preparedness and response with the ultimate goal to get the more PoEs in the country designated under IHR (2005) or to maintain/renew the status of a designated PoE. The checklist will further support Member States in responding to the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) 2021 questions related to Points of Entry (i.e., the checklists will identify gaps in order to align with the action points of the SPRP), and thus will help identify shortcomings in order to appropriately develop or update contingency plans.
The questions and considerations are based on WHO interim guidance (1-10) and guidance of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) (11) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) (12,13) released for the COVID-19 pandemic and are aligned with the requirements of the IHR core capacities for ports (14). It is not intended to replace WHO’s technical guidance, but rather to operationalize it by providing a set of questions that can guide authorities in assessing the extent to which recommended public health measures and capacities are in place at ports.
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Checklist
Instructions on completing the questionnaire
When answering the questions in the checklist, the option “partly” refers to actions that are not yet fully implemented or are not covered by the response categories “yes” or “no”. Please provide further explanations in the “comments” section when you tick “partly”, or when additional explanations will help in assessing your capacity. The color coding for the answers in the columns (green for yes, yellow for partly and red for no) will simplify the final analysis and enable easy visualization of areas that might need further improvement. National authorities may choose to use the entire checklist or only those sections that need to be assessed.
Checklist index 1. Questionsandconsiderationsforports
1.1. Coordination1.2. Healthmeasures1.3. Physical(non-pharmaceutical)measures1.4. Cleaninganddisinfection1.5. Communication
2. Considerationsforcruiseships2.1. General2.2. Considerationsforpassengersandcrews
3. Considerationsforseafarersofnon-passengerships4. Considerationforpermanentportstaffandvisitors5. Handlingofcargo
WHO public health checklist for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in sea travel page 3
Checklist questions
• Port name:
• Address:
• Country:
• Geographic coordinates (GPS) of the port:
• Name and contact details of the responsible officer at the port:
• Average number of passengers per year:
• Cargo capacity per year:
• Number and names of ship companies accommodated:
• Number of permanent port staff:
• Number of ship arrivals per year and by category:
o cruise ships
o cargo ships
o ferries
o fishing vessels
o private or sport boats
o others
Yes Partly No Comments
1. Questions and considerations for ports (2, 3, 11, 12,14, 15, 16)
1.1. Coordination Responsible authorities: port and public health authorities, national International Health Regulations (IHR) focal points
EXAMPLE: has this port been designated under the IHR (2005) (14)? Designated in 2015
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Yes Partly No Comments
1.1.1 Has this port been designated under the IHR (2005) (14)?
1.1.2 Are all IHR core capacities for PoEs implemented (14)?
1.1.3 If not, what IHR core capacities still need to be implemented to
prevent the spread of COVID-19? (Please list them in the “Comments”
column.)
1.1.4 Does the port health authority immediately inform the IHR national
focal point (NFP) and local health authorities if a suspected case of COVID-19
has been identified?
1.1.5 Does the port have a multisectoral emergency committee activated
for COVID-19 (2)?
1.1.6 Does the port have an emergency contingency plan activated for
COVID-19?
1.1.7 If your answer to the previous question was “yes,” is it integrated
within the national emergency contingency plan for COVID-19?
1.1.8 Are incoming conveyance operators (crews/seafarers) and relevant
port staff aware of the plan and can implement it (11)?
1.1.9 Was a port risk assessment that includes a health emergency
component done during the past 1–2 years?
1.1.10 Have public health emergency simulation exercises been conducted
at the port during the past two years?
1.1.11 Were lessons learnt from those simulation exercises implemented? If
so, which ones? (Please enter the response in the “Comments” column.)
1.1.12 Is there collaboration at international, national and local levels among
health, port, ship and other competent authorities to minimize the COVID-
19-related health and safety risks to seafarers (2)?
1.1.13 Do all visiting ships have written COVID-19 outbreak management
plans (including definitions of a suspected or probable case of COVID-19, the
definition of close contacts, and isolation/quarantine procedures)? (3)
1.1.14 Do port authorities allow shore-side visits of ships based on the
public health requirements of the country?
WHO public health checklist for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in sea travel page 5
Yes Partly No Comments
1.1.15 Do port authorities allow shore-side visits based on the health
status of the seafarer and other crew members?
1.1.16 Do port authorities allow shore-side visits based on the COVID-
19 status at the ports the vessel had visited during the previous 14 days
(2,15)?
1.1.17 Does the port health authority convey to the ship’s/cruise ship’s
operator information on the applicable safety/hygiene/health measures in
the destination port/area?
1.1.18 Does the port authority confirm that the cruise ship/cargo vessel call
is accepted and that the necessary conditions related to COVID-19 have
been established?
1.1.19 Are repatriation measures for passengers or crews facilitated by port
authorities and undertaken as quickly as possible?
1.1.20 If your answer to the previous question was “yes,” do repatriation
measures ensure good medical infrastructure and transport connections?
(This includes facilitating the docking of the ship, disembarking of
passengers and crew, health screening and treatment.) (2)
1.1.21. If boarding a vessel by health authorities is not possible, are
alternatives for assessment of health conditions on board ensured? (This
includes provision of a one-month extension of ship sanitation certificates,
provided that the Maritime Declaration of Health indicates no infection or
contamination (2,12,16).
1.2. Health measures (1,2,4,5,6,7, 8, 9, 13, 15,17,21) Responsible authorities: port and public health authorities
1.2.1. Are general health services regularly available at the port?
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Yes Partly No Comments
1.2.2. If yes, are port health-care professionals trained on the COVID-19
context (4,5-7)?
1.2.3. Is port terminal passenger and crew primary screening (health
questionnaire, contactless temperature measurement and secondary
screening) performed?
1.2.4 If your answer to the previous question was ‘yes,’ is contact tracing
being initiated if needed (8)
1.2.5. If port authorities implement preboarding screening or health
monitoring of port workers/passengers/seafarers, do they share this
information with the ship’s captain or skipper to avoid any duplication of
measures (1,8)?
1.2.6. Are health declaration forms collected? (8)
1.2.7. Is appropriate technical guidance from relevant national authorities,
particularly on management of suspected cases at the port and onboard
conveyances implemented (1,4,5,6,13)?
1.2.8. Is a dedicated space for secondary screening and isolation available at
the port (8)?
1.2.9. Are travellers with a skin temperature equal to or higher than 38 °C
referred for second screening by a health worker in a separate screening
area (4,6,7)?
1.2.10. Are separate waiting areas available (with, for instance, physical
distancing for seating, and separate toilets and water supplies) before
interviews and while waiting for transport to quarantine or hospital facilities
(6,8,7)?
1.2.11 Are a separate interview room available for suspected COVID-19
cases and contacts?
1.2.12. Is a separate room available for medical assessment at the port
terminal?
1.2.13. If quarantine procedures are utilized, is adequate food, water and
hygiene provision available for the quarantine period, including minimum
WHO public health checklist for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in sea travel page 7
Yes Partly No Comments
infection control measures and requirements for monitoring the health of
quarantined persons (9,5)?
1.2.14. Does the port have access to ambulance services to enable timely
and safe transfer of ill travellers/seafarers/port staff to designated COVID-19
hospitals?
1.2.15. Does the port have agreements with designated hospitals to provide
assessment and care of COVID-19 cases (1)?
1.2.16. Are seafarers/crews made aware of all public health measures by
ship companies or ports to prevent exposure in public transport and
accommodation during regular crew changes (home, to ship, to home)
(1,15,5,17)?
1.2.17. Are crew/seafarers informed on the need to not report for work if
they develop a fever, shortness of breath or other symptoms of COVID-19,
or are identified as a contact of a confirmed case (1,6)?
1.2.18. Are crew/seafarers informed that they should not return to work
until cleared to do so by their employer’s occupational health programme
and public health officials?
1.2.19. Are COVID-19 testing capacities available at the port, or designated
testing facilities identified for any suspect cases detected at the port?
1.2.20. Is it known to port authorities that during the disembarkation of
suspect cases, exposure of other persons and environmental surfaces must
be minimized?
Note: suspect cases should be provided with a medical mask to reduce the
chance of transmission. Staff involved in the transportation of the suspect
case should follow strict infection prevention and control measures (5).
1.2.21. Are health-care staff at the port trained in using personal protective
equipment (PPE) (1,5,7)?
8
Yes Partly No Comments
1.2.22. Do staff comply with physical distancing and wear face masks during
work, in line with national regulations? Full PPE is recommended only when
in direct contact with suspected cases (5,7,21).
1.2.23. Is enough stock of PPE for port workers available at the port?
1.3. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (1,2, 4,5,7, 8, 11, 12, 14,16,21) Responsible authorities: port authorities
1.3.1. Was an assessment of passenger flow undertaken at the port terminal
to manage crowding and ensure distances are maintained (8)?
1.3.2. Are areas of potential crowding within the terminal identified to
implement rigorous physical distancing measures – floor markings, sign
boards, crowd control and staggering of passenger flow, and structural
modifications?
1.3.3. Is the number of accompanying persons allowed into the port
terminal limited?
1.3.4. Are sufficient security personnel available to enforce physical
distancing and other public health measures?
1.3.5 Is there a plan/policy in place on how to manage non-compliant
travellers?
1.3.6. Is the wearing of masks obligatory for travellers at the terminal and on
board the ship when physical distance cannot be met (4,5,21)?
1.3.7. Can travellers purchase masks at the port?
1.3.8. Are ship operators complying with public health measures within the
port (physical distancing, use of masks and hand disinfection) as
recommended by WHO, IMO and national authorities (1,2,12,5,7)?
1.3.9. Is alignment of public health measures (physical distancing, use of
masks) with local modes of transport (such as port buses and small vessels)
and other infrastructures ensured? (Please indicate how in the “comments”
column.)
WHO public health checklist for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in sea travel page 9
Yes Partly No Comments
1.3.10. Is the Maritime Declaration of Health from the ship’s captain
required by the port health authority before docking?
1.3.11. Do port authorities require Passenger Locator Forms (PLF) to be filled
in by all passengers, crews and seafarers of international voyages
(14,11,16)?
1.3.12. Does the port authority collect, analyse and store these documents
for at least one month to have them ready in case contact-tracing is
required?
1.3.13. Are privacy policies and procedures in place to protect personal
information?
1.3.14. Have duty-free shops, restaurants and other shops at the terminal
implemented physical distancing measures, crowd control and hand hygiene
measures?
1.3.15. Are smoking areas at the terminal closed?
1.4. Cleaning and disinfection (10) Responsible authorities: port authorities and ship owners/operators, service operators
1.4.1. Are all relevant physical premises of the whole port systematically
cleaned and disinfected daily using commercially prepared disinfectants or,
where not available, a minimum concentration of chlorine (1000 ppm or
0.1%)? (10)
1.4.2. Are frequently touched areas, such as toilets, all handrails, floors and
desks, cleaned and disinfected several times a day with chlorine-based
disinfectant or bleach, as per WHO guidance (10)?
1.4.3. Are handwashing stations and/or hand sanitizing stations sufficiently
available, refilled and accessible to staff, seafarers and passengers?
1.4.4. Are waste management facilities sufficiently available and accessible,
and regularly emptied safely?
10
Yes Partly No Comments
1.4.5. Are sufficient disposal bins (around seats prior to security screening
and in boarding/check-in areas) available?
1.5 Communication (1,2, 6, 8, 11) Responsible authorities: port and public health authorities
1.5.1. Is communication material developed for passengers, crew/seafarers
and port staff and strategically placed/announced to reinforce compliance
with requested behaviours and public health measures (1,8)?
1.5.2. Is the communication material available in multiple languages?
1.5.3. Are port health authorities providing updated COVID-19-relevant
information to arriving ships via established communication channels?
1.5.4. Is the captain or skipper of the ship reminded to immediately inform
the competent health authority at the next port of call about any suspect
case of COVID-19 (2,11,6)?
1.5.5. Prior to arrival in port, does the ship’s port agent communicate all
requirements related to COVID-19 risk management to the anticipated
service providers and port officials expected to attend on board during the
port call?
1.5.6. Do all shore-based service providers and port officials communicate
their requirements related to COVID-19 risk management to the ship prior
to arrival in port?
1.5.7. In case of differences in expectations between ship and shore
requirements, are these resolved by all parties prior to the ship arriving in
port?
2. Considerations for cruise ship companies (1,4,6,7,11,14,15, 16)
2.1. General considerations
WHO public health checklist for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in sea travel page 11
Yes Partly No Comments
Responsible authorities: ship operators and cruise ship companies
2.1.1. Is a COVID-19 ship-management plan implemented (to assess risks,
define responsibilities and mitigation measures to passengers, crew, ship
and visited communities)?
2.1.2. Before each voyage, do cruise ship operators ensure with the ports of
call along the route that, if needed, they can make arrangements for
passengers and crew members to receive medical treatment if needed?
2.1.3. Before each voyage, do cruise ship operators ensure with the ports of
call along the route that, if needed, that repatriations and crew changes can
be organized?
2.1.4. If necessary, are provisions in place for the ship to be diverted to the
nearest port where testing for SARS-CoV-2 can take place and where local
public health authorities can be consulted to further manage the situation?
2.1.5. Has the company established procedures to respond to a potential
COVID-19 outbreak on board (1,6,7)?
2.1.6. Does the company conduct simulation exercises to prepare for such
an outbreak on board?
2.1.7. If the answer to the previous question was ‘yes,’ does the company
evaluate them to identify areas requiring improvement?
2.1.8. To protect crew, passengers and residents of the visited ports, is
information provided to disembarking passengers/crew about local public
health measures required at the visiting ports (4,6,7)?
2.1.9. Is the Maritime Declaration of Health reported to public health
authorities by the master of the ship at least four hours prior to arriving in a
port situated in a European Union (EU) Member State?
The Declaration should include: the total number of persons on board (crew
and passengers); number of confirmed COVID-19 cases; and number of
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Yes Partly No Comments
suspected or probable cases of COVID-19. Passengers in the last two
categories should disembark as soon as possible (14,11,16). 2.1.10. Is the prenotification of cruise ship calls at EU ports 24 hours or more
before arrival carried out to allow for better coordination with port
authorities (16)?
2.1.11. Does the port have arrangements to enable reports of ill passengers
to be made to them by any kind of ships calling at the port (1,11,15)?
2.2. Considerations for passengers and crews of cruise ships and ferries (1, 4, 5, 8, 11, 15, 16,18, 19, 20, 22) Responsible authorities: cruise ship owners/operators and port authorities
2.2.1. Are travellers encouraged to use online booking for tickets and print
boarding passes at home?
2.2.2. Are travellers advised during online booking to refrain from travelling
if they feel unwell, have symptoms or belong to high-risk groups (8,4)?
2.2.3. Before booking, are travellers made aware of public health
requirements, such as quarantine or self-monitoring of symptoms, in ports
and after arrival at destinations where it is required by national authorities?
2.2.4. Before travelling, are travellers made aware that compliance with the
health measures at the port and on board may be obligated by authorities?
2.2.5. Do port authorities and conveyer companies comply to the WHO
recommendation not to request Immunity passports from travellers and
seafarers?
Note: The use of “immunity certificates” for international travel in the
context of COVID-19 is currently not supported by scientific evidence and
not recommended by WHO. For more information, please refer to WHO
scientific brief “Immunity passports” in the context of COVID-19, which
provides an overview of the evidence available about the immune response
following infection with SARS-CoV-2. (8,18) This scientific brief will be
updated as new evidence becomes available
WHO public health checklist for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in sea travel page 13
Yes Partly No Comments
2.2.6. Do ship operators comply with current IHR Emergency Committee 3
and 4 recommendations not to request vaccination certificates from
travellers? (22)
2.2.7. Is passenger PCR testing required before boarding?) Note: if testing upon arrival is considered, it should be conducted based on
a prior risk assessment, and decisions on the type of assay to be used should
take into account the key considerations outlined in the scientific brief on
COVID-19 diagnostic testing in the context of international travel (19)
2.2.8. Are PLFs mandatory for all passengers and crew members (8,11,16, 20)?
2.2.9. Are crew members and passengers informed to monitor themselves
daily for symptoms of COVID-19 and to report immediately if they feel
unwell (1)?
2.2.10. Are crew members who are not directly working with passengers
advised to keep their distance from the passengers?
2.2.11. Are strategies and measures implemented for passengers and crew
going ashore and intending to re-embark? Note: the cruise company should
be in contact with local public health authorities on the public health
situation and national and local requirements (1,11,15,5).
2.2.12. Is enhanced cleaning and disinfection (especially of frequently
touched items and areas) and waste management on board regulated in
case of a COVID-19 outbreak?
2.2.13. Is the embarkation and contact between visitors, such as inspectors,
pilots or supply contractors, with the crew and/or passengers reduced to a
minimum?
3. Considerations for seafarers of non-passenger ships before travel (1, 2,4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 21)
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Yes Partly No Comments
Responsible authorities: ship owners/operators, captains/skippers
3.1. Is the captain or skipper of the ship informed about the health measures
applied at ports of call by the company or port agents (1,4,6)?
3.2. Are seafarers informed by the captain or skipper about transmission
status, public health requirements and protection against COVID-19 before
shore leave at each port of call?
3.3. Are seafarers made aware of public health measures, such as daily self-
monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms and quarantine/reporting if needed?
(The responsibility lies with ships’ companies and ports (9).)
3.4. Are seafarers aware of requirements for personal protection in the
various places the ship calls and throughout the seafarer’s journey (home to
ship and ship to home)? (The responsibility lies with individuals, ships’
companies and ports (1,12,5,7.)
3.5. After each crew change, is regular training on COVID-19 symptoms,
transmission mode, prevention and response activities provided for all crew
members? If so, by whom (4,12,6,7)?
3.6. Are reporting requirements through the Maritime Declaration of Health
reinforced to ensure immediate detection of potential cases and notification
to the next port of call (2,12,16)?
3.7. Are seafarers trained on use of PPE? (The responsibility lies with the
ship owners (5,7, 21)
3.8. Is there sufficient PPE (gloves, masks, hand disinfectant and chlorine)
available on the ships?
3.9. Are special protocols and guidance available for environmental cleaning
and disinfection for COVID-19 or other infectious pathogens on ships (10)?
3.10. Are seafarers requested to perform enhanced cleaning and
disinfection of areas where suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases stayed
during quarantine and isolation, including all commonly used areas?
WHO public health checklist for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in sea travel page 15
Yes Partly No Comments
3.11. Are some crew members prepared on clinical management of a suspect
case while on board and management of close contacts of the suspect case(s)
(1,4,6,7)?
3.12. Are quarantine and isolation protocols available on board? 3.13. Was a risk analysis for exposure to a potential symptomatic or pre-
symptomatic infected person done?
Note: this should include potential exposure among seafarers/crews who
are on board and external visitors/workers and should cover four main
areas: 1) potentially contaminated zones; 2) zones of interaction between
crew members and officers; 3) zones of interaction between crew and
visitors; and 4) zones of no interaction (single cabins) (2).
3.14. Does the result of the risk assessment determine the type of PPE applied
in each zone or for each activity (2,13)?
3.15. Are on-board ship personnel advised to limit interactions with
workers/visitors in the port and on the ship to only those critical and essential
to the continued operation and supply of the ship (2,11,13)?
3.16. Do ship owners ensure the commute between the port and crew
members’ individual hotel rooms during crew changes complies with hygiene
measures and recommended physical distancing, including within the
bus/vehicle?
3.17. Are mental health services, including use of remotely delivered mental
health and psychosocial support services (i.e., 24/7 telephone lines or video
resources, and digitally accessed services (including self-help)) available for
seafarers at sea (2, 13)?
4. Consideration for port staff and ancillary staff (such as truck drivers) (1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 11, 13, 21)
16
Yes Partly No Comments
Responsible authorities: port authorities
4.1. Are ship visitors (port staff, including harbour pilots, inspectors, port
workers, ship agents, shipyard staff and others) trained on COVID-19
symptoms, transmission modes and public health measures?
4.2. Are port staff/ship visitors trained on physical distancing and use of PPE
(5,7)?
4.3. Are special protocols and guidance available for environmental cleaning
and disinfection for COVID-19 or other infectious pathogens in port buildings
and possible contaminated surfaces?
4.4. Are sufficient chlorine-based cleaning products available to clean the
buildings and surfaces (2,11,10)?
4.5. Are reporting requirements through the Maritime Declaration of Health
reinforced to ensure immediate detection of potential cases, notification in
ports and transfer to quarantine or hospital facilities?
4.6. Are port workers informed/trained to higher ship-board standards
regarding public health measures (1)?
4.7. Are port workers informed and trained on basic protective measures
against COVID-19 (5,7)?
4.8. Are port workers informed to limit interaction with seafarers to the
necessary minimum to avoid possible COVID-19 transmission?
4.9. Are port workers who have access to ships provided with appropriate
PPE (such as non-medical masks and hand sanitizer) prior to contact with
seafarers? (21)
4.10. Are port authorities and port workers asked to comply with screening
or other protocols or procedures introduced by visiting ships to address
COVID-19 (2,13)?
5. Handling of cargo (5,10)
WHO public health checklist for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in sea travel page 17
Yes Partly No Comments
Responsible authorities: port authorities
5.1. Are cargo handlers and truck drivers informed about COVID-19
public health prevention measures and trained in using precautions (5)?
5.2. Are the cargo compartment surfaces cleaned and disinfected at an
appropriate frequency to accommodate safe operations for port staff
(10)?
5.3. Does the operator periodically inspect equipment to ensure there
are no long-term effects or damage over time through increased
frequency of disinfection?
5.4. Do ship companies review their operating procedures to minimize
the number of personnel who need to make contact with frequently
touched surfaces, such as access panels, door handles and switches?
5.5. Is physical distance kept (while not compromising operational safety)
during physical loading of goods and document exchange, and when
using ground support equipment?
18
References
1. Operational considerations for managing COVID-19 cases or outbreaks on board ships. Interim guidance. 25 March 2020. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/331591))
2. Promoting public health measures in response to COVID-19 on cargo ships and fishing vessels. Interim guidance. 25 August 2020. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020 (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/333978))
3. Public health surveillance for COVID 19. Interim guidance. 16 December 2020. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020. (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/337897) )
4. Management of ill travellers at points of entry (international airports, seaports, and ground crossings) in the context of COVID-19. Interim guidance. 19 March 2020. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020 (https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/10665-331512).
5. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: when and how to use masks. In: World Health Organization [website]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020 ( https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks )
6. Contact tracing in the context of COVID-19. Interim guidance. 1 February 2021. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021 (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/332049) )
7. Infection prevention and control during health care when coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is suspected or confirmed. Interim guidance. 12 July 2021. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/332879) )
8. Technical considerations for implementing a risk-based approach to international travel in the context of COVID-19: interim guidance : annex to: Policy considerations for implementing a risk-based approach to international travel in the context of COVID-19, 2 July 2021.( https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/342212 )
9. Considerations for quarantine of contacts of COVID-19 cases. Interim guidance. 25 June 2021.Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/342004 )
10. Cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19. Interim guidance. 15 May 2020. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020 (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/332096h).
11. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, European Maritime Safety Agency. COVID-19: EU guidance for cruise ship operations. Solna: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; 2020 (https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/COVID-19-cruise-ship-guidance).
12. Joint statement IMO-WHO-ILO on medical certificates of seafarers, ship sanitation certificates and medical care of seafarers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. London: International Maritime Organization; 2020 (https://www.register-iri.com/wp-content/uploads/CL.4204-Add.10.pdf).
13. COVID-19 related guidelines for ensuring a safe shipboard interface between ship and shore-based personnel. London: International Maritime Organization; 2020 (https://iacs.org.uk/media/6988/covid-19-shipshorepersonnelinterfaceguidelines-6-may-2020.pdf )
14. International Health Regulations (2005) third edition. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2016 (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/246107h).
WHO public health checklist for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in sea travel page 19
15. Interim advice for restarting cruise ship operations after lifting restrictive measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Version 1. 30 June 2020. Larissa: EU Healthy Gateways Joint Action Preparedness and Action at Points of Entry (ports, airports, ground crossings); 2020 (https://www.healthygateways.eu/Portals/0/plcdocs/EU_HEALTHY_GATEWAYS_COVID-19_RESTARTING_CRUISES.pdf?ver=2020-07-01-140908-853).
16. Maritime Declaration of Health: IHR, annex 8 (https://www.who.int/ihr/publications/9789241580496/en/)
17. Interim advice for preparedness and response to cases of COVID-19 on board ferries after lifting restrictive measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Version 1. 24 June 2020. Larissa: EU Healthy Gateways Joint Action Preparedness and Action at Points of Entry (ports, airports, ground crossings); 2020 (https://www.healthygateways.eu/Portals/0/plcdocs/Advice_Passenger_Ferry.pdf?ver=2020-06-25-091223-253).
18. WHO scientific brief “Immunity passports” in the context of COVID-19. Scientific Brief. 24 April 2020. (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/331866h)
19. COVID-19 diagnostic testing in the context of International travel. Scientific Brief. 16 December 2020. Geneva. World Health Organization; 2020. (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/337832h)
20. Passenger locator forms. In: EU Healthy Gateways Joint Action Preparedness and Action at Points of Entry (ports, airports, ground crossings) [website]. Larissa: EU Healthy Gateways Joint Action Preparedness and Action at Points of Entry (ports, airports, ground crossings); 2020 (https://www.healthygateways.eu/Translated-Passenger-Locator-Forms).
21. Masks use in the context of COVID-19. Interim guidance. 1 December 2020. (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/337199h)
22. Interim position paper: considerations regarding proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travellers Interim position paper: considerations regarding proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travellers (who.int)
20 Annex
Action plan for improving COVID-19 response capacities at Point of Entries.
# Activity Colour code score Green for “yes” Yellow for “partly” Red for “no”
Responsible officer/agency
Planned action Further action needed if an activity is marked as “partly” or “no”, based on explanations in the comments section.
Time frame for implementation
Estimated costs for implementation in national currency
1.1.6 EXAMPLE: Does the port have an emergency contingency plan activated for COVID-19?
red Port operator, Mr/Mrs. XXX
To update the emergency contingency plan with all stakeholders in the context of COVID-19.
1st May 2021
300
WHO public health checklist for controlling the spread of COVID-19 in sea travel page 21
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