- Chinese ports are facing a heavy shortage of labour due to a virus outbreak.
- The remaining ports are using screening and quarantine measures to manage the infection risk.
- Several borders remain open while the number of crossing points have been reduced.
According to an article published in Safety4sea, Chinese ports are facing a heavy shortage of labour due to the spread of coronavirus.
Shortage of labour
Due to the spread of novel coronavirus, Chinese ports are facing a heavy shortage of labour. The absence has been blamed on coronavirus with many workers absenting themselves from work.
The ports in the Asia-Pacific region and others are currently using screening and quarantine measures to manage the infection risk, but remain open.
Minimum requirements to be provided
At a minimum, most ports will require ships to provide:
- Declaration of health;
- Information on the crew and passenger health and travel history.
Borders remain open
- Borders also remain open at present although in some cases, like Hong Kong, the number of active crossing points are reduced.
- Members should also get the latest information from their local agents to avoid or minimize delays.
- Where ships are unavoidably delayed, members who purchase the club’s Strike and Delay insurance are protected against up to 29 different perils.
- The new coronavirus has cost the lives of 1,775 people, while confirmed cases exceed 71,000.
How the virus spreads?
The virus is said to have originated from animal source and has to humans as well. It spreads from human-to-human and spread through contact. It is reported to be highly contagious.
Symptoms of coronavirus
For confirmed 2019-nCoV infections, reported illnesses have ranged from people being mildly sick to people being severely ill and dying.
Symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- CDC believes at this time that symptoms of 2019-nCoV may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure.
How to prevent the spread of disease?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
However, the CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
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Source: Safety4sea
