Coronavirus Guidelines
Coronavirus Guidelines
Coronavirus Guidelines
While the advice given in this Guidance has been developed using the best information available,
it is intended purely as guidance to be used at the user’s own risk. No responsibility is accepted
by Marisec Publications or by the International Chamber of Shipping or by any person, firm,
corporation or organisation who or which has been in any way concerned with the furnishing of
information or data, the compilation, publication or any translation, supply or sale of this Guidance
for the accuracy of any information or advice given herein or for any omission herefrom or from
any consequences whatsoever resulting directly or indirectly from compliance with or adoption of
guidance contained therein even if caused by a failure to exercise reasonable care.
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the global trade association representing national
shipowners’ associations from Asia, the Americas and Europe and more than 80% of the world
merchant fleet.
Established in 1921, ICS is concerned with all aspects of maritime affairs particularly maritime
safety, environmental protection, maritime law and employment affairs.
ICS enjoys consultative status with the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO).
3
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance for Ship Operators for the
Protection of the Health of Seafarers
Contents
1 Introduction 5
2 Port Entry Restrictions 6
3 Protective Measures Against COVID-19 for Seafarers 7
4 Outbreak Management Plan for COVID-19 8
5 Pre-Boarding Information 8
6 Pre-boarding Screening 8
7 Information and Awareness 8
8 Suspected Cases of Infection 9
9 Close Contacts (High Risk Exposure) 10
10 Hygiene Measures for Seafarers on Ships 10
11 Management of Suspect Cases by Medical Support Providers 11
12 Precautions at the Ship Medical Facility 11
13 Laboratory Testing 11
14 Case Handling 12
15 Isolation 12
16 Reporting to the Next Port of Call 13
17 Disembarkation of a Suspect and a Confirmed Case 13
18 Cleaning, Disinfection and Waste Management 14
19 Management of Contacts of a Suspect Case 14
20 Supplies and Equipment 15
Annex A – Posters 17
Annex B – Sample Pre-Boarding Passenger Locator Form (PLF) 21
Annex C – WHO COVID-19 Support and Logistics Supplies List,
with availability advice provided by IMHA 22
Coronavirus (COVID-19) 5
Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers
1 Introduction
In response to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, this Guidance has been produced by the
International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) to support all types of ships which operate in international waters.
The purpose is to help shipping companies follow advice provided by United Nations agencies including
the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International
Labour Organization (ILO), as well as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
COVID-19 – a virus which can lead to respiratory disease and pneumonia – was first reported in December
2019 in Wuhan, China. More than 90,000 cases have been reported at the time of going to print, including
several thousand deaths. While most of these have been concentrated in China, the virus now appears to be
spreading globally. No vaccine is currently available, and the focus of health authorities worldwide has been
containment of the virus through preventative measures to limit and slow down widespread transmission.
The WHO has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern under the WHO
International Health Regulations (IHR).
This severe public health challenge requires close co-operation between governments and shipping
companies engaged in maritime trade, in order to protect the health of seafarers (and passengers) as well as
the general public.
ICS is grateful for the support of the following organisations in preparing this Guidance: IMO, ILO, WHO,
International Maritime Health Association (IMHA), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
(ECDC), Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (MSC) and Wilhelmsen Ships Service.
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Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers
5 Pre-Boarding Information
This Guidance uses information contained in the WHO Operational considerations for managing COVID-19
cases/outbreak on board ships, interim guidance 24 February 2020. It is also recommended to use this
alongside the WHO Handbook for Management of Public Health Events on Board Ships.
www.who.int/publications-detail/global-surveillance-for-human-infection-with-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)
6 Pre-boarding Screening
Until the end of the COVID-19 outbreak, all ships are advised to provide passengers and seafarers with
general information on COVID-19 and its preventative measures and implement pre-boarding screening.
A sample pre-boarding Passenger Locator Form (PLF) is provided in Annex B. The purpose is to
identify passengers who may need to have their boarding deferred or rescheduled and to ensure proper
management by competent health authorities.
A patient with acute respiratory illness (fever and at least one sign/symptom of respiratory disease (e.g.
cough, shortness of breath), and with no other set of causes that fully explains the clinical presentation
and a history of travel to or residence in a country/ area or territory reporting local transmission of
(COVID-19) during the 14 days prior to the onset of the symptoms.
Or
A patient with any acute respiratory illness and having been in contact with a confirmed or suspected
COVID-19 case during the 14 days prior to the onset of the symptoms.
Or
A patient with severe acute respiratory infection (fever and at least one sign/symptom of respiratory
disease e.g. cough, shortness of breath and requiring hospitalization and with no other set of causes that
fully explain the symptoms.
Any person on board that may have been in close contact with a suspect case should be:
• Traced immediately after the suspect case is identified;
• Asked to remain on board until laboratory results of the suspect case are available (measures that apply
following positive laboratory results are described below); and
• Categorised as either contacts with high risk exposure or with low risk exposure.
Further guidance can be found at
www.who.int/publications-detail/global-surveillance-for-human-infection-with-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)
All persons on board that fulfil the definition of a ‘close contact’ (see below) should be asked to complete
a PLF (see Annex B) and remain on board the ship in their cabins or preferably at a specially designated
facility ashore (if feasible and in case that the ship is at the turnaround port where embarking/disembarking
passengers or discharging/loading cargos/stores takes place), in accordance with instructions received by the
competent health authorities, until the laboratory result for the suspect case is available. Persons on board who
do not fulfil the definition of a ‘close contact’ will be considered as having low risk exposure and should:
• Be requested to complete PLFs with their contact details and the locations where they will be staying for
the following 14 days;
• Be provided with the following information and advice on the details of symptoms and how the disease
can be transmitted;
• Be asked to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, including fever of any grade, cough or difficulty
breathing, for 14 days from their last exposure; and
• Be asked to immediately self-isolate and contact health services in the event of any symptom appearing
within 14 days. If no symptoms appear within 14 days of their last exposure, the contact person is no longer
considered likely to develop COVID-19.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) 10
Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers
13 Laboratory Testing
Laboratory examination of clinical specimens for suspect cases should be made with the competent
authorities at the port who will then inform the ship’s officers about test results.
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Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers
14 Case Handling
Case handling should:
• Be initiated by the ship’s medical care providers in order to detect any new suspect cases;
• Include directly contacting crew and passengers, asking about current and recent illnesses, and checking
if any person meets the criteria for a suspect case; and
• Be recorded in the appropriate medical log book.
Medical care providers should:
• Ensure a suspect case is interviewed and provide information about the places they have visited within
the last 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms and their contacts, including the period from one day
before the onset of symptoms on board the ship or ashore; and
• Keep records regarding:
– Anyone on board who has visited the medical facility as a suspect case and the isolation and hygiene
measures taken;
– Any close contact or casual contact with low risk exposure to monitor their health;
– Contact details of casual contacts with low risk exposure who will disembark and the locations where
they will be staying in the next 14 days (completed PLFs or Maritime Declarations of Health (MDHs); and
– Results of active surveillance.
15 Isolation
Isolate suspect cases on board immediately and inform the next port of call of suspect cases:
• With acute respiratory infection, either a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, whether requiring
hospitalisation or not;
• Who in the 14 days before onset of symptoms met the definition of a suspect case as outlined in
sections 8 and 9.
Patients should be isolated in either an isolation ward, cabin, room or quarters with precautionary measures.
Anyone entering an isolation room should wear gloves, impermeable gowns, goggles and medical masks.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) 13
Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers
Annex A
Posters
WHO and ECDC, among others, have provided advice to avoid the spread of COVID-19. To highlight their
key messages and to help seafarers know how best to protect themselves and those they meet, ICS has
produced the following three posters for ships.
The posters are also available to download from the ICS website at:
http://www.ics-shipping.org/free-resources
COVID-19
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers
18
Practise
Food Safety
Meat products can be safely Do not eat sick or
consumed if they are diseased animals
cooked thoroughly and
properly handled
during food
preparation
Stay healthy
while travelling
Avoid these modes of travel if
you have a fever or a cough
Annex B
Sample Pre-Boarding Passenger
Locator Form (PLF)
To be completed by any adult
Within the past 14 days, have you, or any person listed above: Yes No
–p
rovided direct care for COVID-19 patients, working
with healthcare workers infected with novel coronavirus?�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������
–w
orked together in close proximity, or sharing the same
classroom environment, with a COVID-19 patient?��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
Annex C
WHO COVID-19 Support
and Logistics Supplies List,
with availability advice provided by IMHA
Items Comment Already carried
on board?
CHEMICALS
Antibiotics Yes
Chlorine Yes
Fever and pain medication Yes
Sodium lactate solution Yes
Alcohol-based hand rub Bottle of 100ml and 500ml Yes
Chlorine NaDCC, granules, 1kg, 65 to 70% + dosage information Yes
Paracetamol 500mg tablets Yes
Sodium lactate compound solution Ringer's lactate, injection solution, w/o IV set and needle, 1000ml Yes
PPE
Examination Gloves, EU MDD directive Nitrile, powder-free, non-sterile. Cuff length preferably reaching above the wrist Yes
93/42/EEC Category III, EU PPE (e.g. minimum 230mm total length. Sizes, S, M, L). Plentiful supplies required.
Regulation 2016/425 Category III, EN 455,
EN 374, ANSI/ISEA 105, ASTM D6319, or
equivalent standards
Surgical Gloves, EU MDD directive Nitrile, powder-free, single use. Gloves should have long cuffs, reaching well Yes
93/42/EEC Category III, EU PPE above the wrist, ideally to mid-forearm. (Sizes 5.0–9.0)
Regulation 2016/425 Category III, EN 455,
EN 374, ANSI/ISEA 105, ASTM D6319, or
equivalent standards
Gloves, cleaning Outer glove should have long cuffs, reaching well above the wrist, ideally to mid- Yes
forearm. Cuff length preferably reach mid-forearm (e.g. minimum 280mm total
length. Sizes, S, M, L), reusable, puncture resistant, FDA compliant
Impermeable gowns single use Disposable, length mid-calf. - EU PPE Regulation 2016/425 and EU MDD Yes, but check
directive 93/42/EEC• FDA class I or II medical device, or equivalent, EN 13795 supplies are plentiful
any performance level, or AAMI PB70 all levels acceptable, or equivalent.
Scrubs - Tunic/tops Woven, scrubs, reusable or single use, short sleeved (tunic/tops), worn Yes, but check
underneath the coveralls or gown supplies are plentiful
Scrubs - Trouser/pants Woven, scrubs, reusable or single use, short sleeved (tunic/tops), worn Yes, but check
underneath the coveralls or gown supplies are plentiful
Aprons Heavy duty, straight apron with bib. Fabric: 100% polyester with PVC coating, Yes, but check
or 100% PVC, or 100% rubber, or other fluid resistant coated material, supplies are plentiful
Waterproof, sewn strap for neck and back fastening. Minimum basis weight:
300g/m2covering size: 70-90 cm (width) X 120-150cm (height). Reusable (if
decontamination arrangements exist) EN ISO 13688, EN 14126-B and partial
body protection (EN 13034 or EN 14605), EN 343 for water and breathability or
equivalent.
Goggles, protective Good seal with facial skin, flexible PVC frame to easily fit all face contours Yes, but check
EU PPE Regulation 2016/425, with even pressure. Enclose eyes and surrounding areas. Accommodate supplies are plentiful
EN 166, ANSI/ISEA Z87.1, or equivalent prescription glasses wearers. Clear plastic lens with fog and scratch
resistant treatments, Adjustable band to secure firmly and not become loose
during clinical activity. Indirect venting to avoid fogging. May be reused (if
decontamination arrangements exist) or disposable.
Surgical masks for medics Good breathability, clear internal and external faces. EU MDD directive 93/42/ Yes, but check
ASTM F2100 minimum level 1 or EEC Category III, or equivalent, EN 14683 Type II, IR, IIR supplies are plentiful
equivalent*
Patient masks EN 14683 any type Good breathability, clear internal and external faces Yes, but check
including Type I* supplies are plentiful
Face shield (PPE) Should be provided by Port Health Authority Unlikely
Contact a telemedicine provider to assist if you have difficulty accessing any equipment.
International Chamber of Shipping
38 St Mary Axe London EC3A 8BH
Telephone + 44 20 7090 1460
info@ics-shipping.org
www.ics-shipping.org