HCM City raises warnings over Covid-19 outbreaks at seaports
Nguyen Huu Hung, deputy director of the Department of Health said even though there are no major outbreaks reported on cargo ships yet, they have confirmed several positive cases so tighter regulations are needed.
Nguyen Thanh Phong, chairman of HCM City People's Committee immediately asked localities to have measures to contain a possible outbreak and deal with shortcomings in waterway services.
"We’re trying our best to improve the preventive capacity for land, air and sea transportation. However, management at seaports is still lax," Phong said.
He went on to say that the seaports were just as much at risk as airports. Cargo ships have been to many countries and the crew members may be infected before reaching Vietnam. When the crew members go ashore without permission or when other people board a ship, the virus could spread.
According to the Department of Health, each ship must be considered a separated quarantine centre and people that go in and out of the ship must be monitored. When leaving the ship for work, employees must wear protective suits and fill in medical declaration forms.
Ngo Quang Hung, deputy head of HCM City Port Authority, said close collaboration between the authorities and firms was needed in order to implement the regulations effectively.
