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Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Taking some simple precautions can reduce our chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19
COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. The World Health Organization (WHO) first learned of this new virus on 31 December 2019, following a report of a cluster of cases of ‘viral pneumonia’ in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough and fatigue but symptoms of severe COVID‐19 disease include shortness of breath, loss of appetite, confusion, persistent pain or pressure in the chest and high temperature (above 38 °C). More information on the disease and its symptoms can be found on the WHO website here.
We have collated some useful resources for seafarers, ship owners and ship management companies, and other members of the maritime industry*. Please find a list of links and some useful documents below:
VACCINATIONS FOR SEAFARERS:
- COVID-19 vaccinations for seafarers by country: icma.as/vaccines
- COVID-19 vaccine availability for foreign seafarers in United States ports: namma.org/vaccines
- UK: NHS FAQs on Seafarers and Vaccination
World Health Organization:
- Information and guidance regarding the current outbreak of COVID-19, including daily updates: www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
- Promoting public health measures in response to COVID-19 on cargo ships and fishing vessels (25 August 2020)
International Maritime Organization: www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
International Chamber of Shipping: www.ics-shipping.org/free-resources/covid-19 (see also resources below)
Coronavirus (COVID19) Port/Country Implications: iss-shipping.com/pages/coronavirus-port-country-implications
COVID-19 Information Dashboard (country- and port-specific advice on COVID-19 measures): geollectcoronavirusdashboard.com.s3-website.us-east-2.amazonaws.com
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Global Port Restrictions Map (updated daily): wilhelmsen.com/ships-agency/campaigns/coronavirus/coronavirus-map
INTERTANKO Outbreak Management Plan: Covid-19 (Version 4) (August 2021): www.intertanko.com/info-centre/coronavirus-resources/coronavirus/23253
Maritime Human Rights Risks and the COVID-19 Crew Change Crisis: A Tool to Support Human Rights Due Diligence (May 2021): Download here
Seafarers' access to long-term medications (International Transport Workers' Federation): itfglobal.org/en/news/seafarers-access-long-term-medications
Coronavirus - How to Beat it (free-of-charge awareness video by Seagull and Videotel): www.microsite.videotel.com/coronavirus
Coronavirus - Stay Safe on Board (video produced by Marine Media Enterprises with the support of Columbia Ship Management, ISWAN and Steamship Mutual): www.steamshipmutual.com/loss-prevention/stay_safe_on_board_0420.htm
CHIRP Maritime (April 2020):
- Focus on seafarer wellbeing during COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 general advice to Masters and crew
- Trapped by COVID-19 – highlighting the plight of seafarers on board vessels
ISWAN articles:
- COVID-19: specific maritime medical challenges (September 2020)
- Social Interaction Matters – Combatting the impacts of COVID-19 (March 2021)
*Please note: The COVID-19 situation is constantly changing so please refer to the WHO website for the latest guidance and updates.
If you have any questions or concerns, our free, confidential, multilingual helplines SeafarerHelp (for all seafarers and their families) and Yacht Crew Help (for professional yacht crew) are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Seafarers' Health Information Programme
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