In a major development, Singapore has issued a maritime health advisory in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic, says a press release published by MPA.
What is it?
The circular, which will come into effect from 23 March 2020, 2359hrs, brings
to the attention of the National Environment Agency’s (Port Health Office)
requirements for all vessels arriving Port of Singapore to submit the Maritime
Declaration of Health to the Port Health Office.
This declaration is part of the measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus
Disease 2019 (COVID-19) into Singapore. It must be submitted to the National
Environment Agency’s (Port Health Office) 12 hours before arrival at Port of Singapore.
These requirements are listed in National Environment Agency’s (Port Health
Office) circular as attached in ANNEX A. The Maritime Declaration of Health Form is
attached in ANNEX B.
Precautionary Measures on Ship
The master of the ship is recommended to implement the following additional
precautionary measures:
- Educate crew/passengers of the symptoms of COVID-19, which are:
i. Fever (i.e. temperature above 37.5 degree Celsius);
ii. Runny nose;
iii. Cough; and
iv. Shortness of breath - Carry out daily temperature checks for all crew/passengers at least twice
daily; - Isolate unwell crew/passengers when his/her temperature is above 37.5
degree Celsius. - The unwell crew/passengers should also wear a mask; and
- Disinfect common areas and rooms in the vessel before arrival in Singapore.
- The disinfection may be conducted by the ship’s crew en-route to Singapore.
You can refer to the Interim Guidelines for Environmental Cleaning and
Disinfection of Areas Exposed to Confirmed Case(s) of COVID-19 in NonHealthcare
Premises issued by NEA for guidance on the disinfection protocols, if needed.
Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to the Port Health Office at Tel: (65) 6222-2585.
he Port Marine Circular 14 of 2020 dated 20 Mar 2020 will be cancelled on 23 March 2020, 2359hrs
COMPULSORY MARITIME HEALTH DECLARATION BY VESSELS
- In view of the COVID-19 situation, Port Health Unit/ NEA will be implementing additional
measures to guard against the virus in Singapore. - As part of the measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, all arriving vessels are required to submit the following documents to the Port Health Unit/ Central Regional Office 12 hours before arrival at Port of Singapore:
a) The Maritime Declaration of Health Form;
b) Crew list / Passenger list;
c) Current copy of Ship Sanitation Certificates; and
d) Last 10 ports of call list
e) List of all passengers & crew members with temperature above 37.5 degree Celsius
The stated documents must be submitted regardless whether there are any sick passengers or crew on board. - The master of the ship is to conduct temperature checks for all passengers and crew members no earlier than 2 hours before arrival and provide the list of passengers/ crew members with temperature measured above 37.5 degree Celsius to Port Health Office, National Environment Agency.
- The Maritime Declaration of Health Form and other documents should be submitted to the Port Health Unit/ Central Regional Office and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore via:
a) Fax: 62228543
b) Email: Port_Health_CRO@nea.gov.sg
c) Email: isps@mpa.gov.sg - In view of the escalated novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, Port Health officers are unable to carry out ship inspections for the issuance of Ship Sanitation Certificate (SSC).
- Port Health will cease the processing of applications for SSC all arriving vessels with effect from 23 Mar 2020, 2359hrs until further notice.
Should you have further queries, please contact Port Health Unit at Tel: (65) 6222-2585 or email (Port_Health_CRO@nea.gov.sg).
The Declaration Form
The MDH must be completed and submitted a maximum of 12 hours before arrival, with an update, if the health status of any one on board changes
MARITIME DECLARATION OF HEALTH
To be completed and submitted to the competent authorities by the masters of ships arriving from foreign ports.
Submitted at the port of ………………………………………………….. Date ………………….……
Name of ship or inland navigation vessel ……………………………………………………………………….Registration/IMO No …………………………….
arriving from ………………………………………………………..….… sailing to ………………………………………………………………………………….
(Nationality)(Flag of vessel) ………………………………..………. Master’s name ……………………………………………………………………………..
Gross tonnage (ship) ……………..
Tonnage (inland navigation vessel) …………………
Valid Sanitation Control Exemption/Control Certificate carried on board? Yes ………… No ………… Issued at ……..…..…… date ……………
Re-inspection required? Yes ……. No …….
Has ship/vessel visited an affected area identified by the World Health Organization? Yes ….. No …..
Port and date of visit …………………….………………………….
List ports of call from commencement of voyage with dates of departure, or within past thirty days, whichever is shorter:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Upon request of the competent authority at the port of arrival, list crew members, passengers or other persons who have joined ship/vessel since international
voyage began or within past thirty days, whichever is shorter, including all ports/countries visited in this period (add additional names to the attached schedule)
(1) Name …………………………………joined from: (1) …………..……….….(2) …….…..……………….(3) ………………………………
(2) Name …………………………………joined from: (1) …………..……….….(2) …….…..……………….(3) ………………………………
(3) Name …………………………………joined from: (1) …………..……….….(2) …….…..……………….(3) ………………………………
Number of crew members on board …………..
Number of passengers on board …………….
Health questions
(1) Has any person died on board during the voyage otherwise than as a result of accident? Yes …. No ……
If yes, state particulars in attached schedule. Total no. of deaths ……….
(2) Is there on board or has there been during the international voyage any case of disease which you suspect to be of an infectious nature?
Yes…….. No…….. If yes, state particulars in attached schedule.
(3) Has the total number of ill passengers during the voyage been greater than normal/expected? Yes …. No …. How many ill
persons? ……….
(4) Is there any ill person on board now? Yes …….. No ……. If yes, state particulars in attached schedule.
(5) Was a medical practitioner consulted? Yes ……. No …… If yes, state particulars of medical treatment or advice provided in attached schedule.
(6) Are you aware of any condition on board which may lead to infection or spread of disease? Yes …….. No …….
If yes, state particulars in attached schedule.
(7) Has any sanitary measure (e.g. quarantine, isolation, disinfection or decontamination) been applied on board? Yes ……. No ……
If yes, specify type, place and date ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(8) Have any stowaways been found on board? Yes ……. No …… If yes, where did they join the ship (if known)? ………………………………
(9) Is there a sick animal or pet on board? Yes ……… No ……..
Note: In the absence of a surgeon, the master should regard the following symptoms as grounds for suspecting the existence of a disease of an infectious
nature:
(a) fever, persisting for several days or accompanied by (i) prostration; (ii) decreased consciousness; (iii) glandular swelling; (iv) jaundice; (v)
cough or shortness of breath; (vi) unusual bleeding; or (vii) paralysis.
(b) with or without fever: (i) any acute skin rash or eruption; (ii) severe vomiting (other than sea sickness); (iii) severe diarrhea; or (iv) recurrent
convulsions.
I hereby declare that the particulars and answers to the questions given in this Declaration of Health (including the schedule) are true and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief.
Date ………………………… Signed ……………………………………….
Master
Countersigned ………………………………………
In addition to the health declaration form, the shipmaster also have to provide the details of sick persons onboard the ships along with their individual symptoms. A separate passenger temperature checklist also needs to be provided.
State:
1) Whether the person recovered, is still ill or died; and
2) Whether the person is still on board, was evacuated (including the name of the port or airport), or was buried at sea.
For more information check out the detailed circular at https://www.mpa.gov.sg/assets/circulars/Port%20Marine%20Circulars.pdf
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Source: MPA
