Coronavirus: Chennai Port bans entry of crew from China, Thailand and Singapore

The Chennai Port authorities have banned the entry of crew on board ships from China, including Hong Kong and Macau, Thailand and Singapore into India by stopping the issue of landing permit or shore-leave pass.

According to reports, the port has advised all agencies in the city to ban the entry of crew on board ships from these three countiries into India. According to The Hindu, the ships were also prohibited from dumping their garbage.

“We have decided to temporarily prevent the entry of crew members on board ships from three countries, irrespective of their nationalities or health conditions. The ships will not be permitted to dump their garbage here. The decision is part of the standard operating procedure devised after the World Health Organisation declared the spread of the virus a public health emergency,” said Chennai Port Trust chairman P Raveendran, according to The Hindu.

This apart, the health officials are monitoring the health condition of the crew members of all ships.

"On a daily basis, Masters of Captains have been sharing the health condition of the crew members via email. Where there was any suspicion on any member of the crew suffering from fever, throat infection or other symptoms of the coronavirus, the Hindu reported.

Moreover, a special team, headed by chief medical and port health officer, was screening the crew members of incoming ships.

Adequate numbers of N-95 masks, personal protective equipment kits, thermal scanners and gloves were procured for all front-line staff and health officials to deal with the threat of COVID-19, Raveendran told to The Hindu.

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