COVID-19 Port Outbreak Response Plan Guidelines

COVID-19 Port Outbreak Response Plan Guidelines

The following guidelines should assist the Port Authority to develop response plans that are consistent with WA Department of Health and Commonwealth guidance [Refer to References 1-6] for the management of vessels with potential COVID-19 cases.

This template should be used for the development of individual port response plans. Reference to any existing Port control processes or procedures should be included within the response plan.

The following principles need to be addressed in the development of the response plan:

1. Vessel safety and security: first response to onboard emergencies, and safe minimum manning;

2. Infection exposure reduction: strict infection prevention and control measures, zone separations, sanitation;

3. Supporting the State Health response to Outbreak control: vessel access and communication with local stakeholders to support the Health activities of early case finding and management, close contact identification, and on-going follow-up, reduction of population density on board (essential and non-essential crew), quarantine, and isolation;

4. Wellbeing of Seafarers: physical and mental health monitoring, other welfare support mechanisms

In an unmitigated COVID-19 outbreak on board a vessel, the number of crew affected will likely be overwhelming, leaving the vessel unable to function. The most effective response to a COVID-19 case is early diagnosis, isolation and treatment.

.

COVID-19 Port Outbreak Response Plan PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS

This section should outline the Port’s control measures for reducing the exposure of Port Authority personnel and contractors to potential COVID-19 cases on vessels, including access control and infection prevention and control. The Port Authority is the first line of response in the management and prevention of COVID-19 infection. Additional support and guidance can be provided by the Department of Health.

Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) Outline Infection Prevention and Control measures for pilots, stevedores, and other contractors who are in close proximity or contact with vessel crew in the course of their duties. Referenced IP&C measures should include details of:

• Environmental cleaning and disinfection practices and routines; • PPE requirements for pilots, personnel boarding vessels and others who are in close

proximity or contact with vessel crew; • Education, training, monitoring and auditing of PPE donning and doffing procedures; • Location of PPE donning and doffing stations; • Hand hygiene practices, including location and contents of washing stations; • Physical distancing practices; • Management of laundry; and • Waste management.

References 1, 2, 4 and 5 provide guidance for IP&C measures.

Access Control Outline the Port’s process for managing access of personnel and stores to/from the vessel, including:

• Processes for safe embarkation/disembarkation that minimises risk of transmission; • Record keeping for vessel access and interaction to inform contact tracing if required; and • Reporting processes for illness by the vessel, pilots and others who are in close proximity or

contact with vessel crew.

References 3 and 4 provide guidance for access control.

Vessel Responsibilities Outline the responsibilities to the Port Authority for foreign vessels that have departed from an overseas port within 14 days of arrival and how requirements are communicated to vessels, including:

• The reporting requirement to inform Port Authority of illness in accordance with International Health Regulation 2005 (who reports, how the reports are made, whom the reports are sent to, when does the reporting occur, frequency of reporting, procedures for reporting of an illness identified after a report was submitted);

• Confirmation that the vessel has a current outbreak response plan and procedures for management of suspected COVID-19 cases in accordance with IMO Circular Letter No. 4204/Add.3;

• Details of measures taken on board if any suspect cases have been identified; and • Encourage the voluntary reporting of potential COVID-19 cases to the port for 14 days after

departure.

The procedure should capture the obligations for vessels to maintain an outbreak response plan for their vessel in accordance with the WHO/IMO guidance.

References 5 and 6 provide guidance vessel for reporting and response.

RESPONSE PLANNING

This section should outline the Port’s response measures to potential COVID-19 cases, including testing, isolation and management. Once a COVID-19 case has been identified, the regional public health unit, together with PHEOC and SHICC will administer the management of the vessel and the crew. Port response planning should identify initial actions by the port where a suspected COVID-19 case has been reported, and the logistics required to support the health response including, but not limited to berthing arrangements, access controls, provision of services.

Identification of a potential COVID-19 Case

Outline the port’s response to a report of a potential COVID-19 case onboard a vessel, including:

• The reporting mechanism and format including symptom checklists (Refer also Ref 7); • The process for notification and requesting medical assessment/support for a potential

COVID-19 case in the local region; and • The locations for testing of potential COVID-19 cases and identification of testing pathway

agreed with local medical authorities,

The following aspects should be observed in planning [Ref 1]:

• Health care workers will not board a vessel at anchorage and a port authority should not stop a vessel berthing because of an ill traveller

• The ill crew member should isolate on the vessel in a single cabin until further direction is given by a biosecurity officer or a human biosecurity officer;

• The biosecurity officer will meet the vessel to screen for COVID-19 and will tell the vessel what to do next; and

• If testing for COVID-19 is recommended by a human biosecurity officer, the vessel will be directed to berth at a port and the ill person can either be tested at the port or transferred to a medical facility. This will be at the discretion of a human biosecurity officer.

Reference 7 provides guidance for screening of crew members and symptom checklists.

Medical Evacuation

Outline the process for emergency and non-emergency medical evacuation of a crewmember including:

• IP&C measures during transfer of a crewmember, including for non-COVID-19 reasons; • Pathway and agencies involved in the medical evacuation to a local health facility while at

anchor or alongside; • Responsibilities of agent/vessel master when requesting medical assistance, and • Mechanisms to ensure local medical authorities are made aware that the crew member is

from a foreign vessel and to ensure appropriate IP&C precautions are utilised.

Medically evacuated crewmembers should wear a surgical mask as a minimum if their medical condition allows it as per Reference 4.

Isolation and Quarantine

Outline the process for management of a vessel with COVID-19 cases including:

• Identification of a suitable berth/location that provides permanent and safe access on board for health support services and other external parties;

• Identify the process for provision of essential services for the duration of the Vessel’s quarantine, including, as a minimum:

o Provision of victuals; o Removal of waste; o Laundry facilities; and o Communications.

Reference 6 provides guidance for vessel management and sanitation during quarantine for COVID-19 cases

SURGE PLANNING

This section should outline the Port’s surge response contingencies for COVID-19 cases on more than one vessel. Where a COVID-19 case is suspected on a vessel while another vessel is in quarantine, the port should have an initial response plan for this contingency.

• Risk assess and identify contingency plans where a COVID-19 case is identified on more than one vessel; and

• Identify alternate berthing arrangements and any support requirements.

CONTACTS

This section should include any region or port-specific contacts including local medical providers, local human biosecurity officers, police and ambulance support.

Agency Contact Email Public Health Emergency Operations

Centre (PHEOC) 08 9222 0221 [email protected]

State Health Incident Control Centre (SHICC)

On call duty officer 9328 0553

Watch -desk 08 9222 2017

[email protected] (first point of contact) [email protected]

Department of Communities (SWICC) WA Police Force

St John Ambulance

mailto:[email protected]



REFERENCES

This section should include any region or port-specific guidance or procedures. Uncontrolled copies of core guidance are included for reference.

Resource Link 1 Department of Health COVID-19

Information for the Maritime Industry

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/05/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-marine-industry_0.pdf

2 Department of Health COVID-19 Guidance for Marine Pilots

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-marine-pilots

3 Department of Health COVID-19 Guidance for Border Staff

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/04/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-border-staff.pdf

4 WA Department of Health Infection prevention and control management for COVID-19 response workers working with airline/cruise/cargo ship passengers and crew

https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/-/media/Files/Corporate/general-documents/Infectious-diseases/PDF/Coronavirus/COVID19-infection-Prevention-and-Control-Management-for-Frontline-COVID19-Response-Workers-Working-with-AirlineCruise-Ship.pdf

5 SafeWork Australia Requirements for Commercial Vessels and Crew

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces/industry-information/stevedores-and-ports/requirements-commercial

6 World Health Organisation Operational Considerations for Managing COVID-19 Cases and Outbreaks on Board Ships

http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Documents/Circular%20Letter%20No.4204-Add.3.pdf

7 Protocol for management of risk of a Listed Human Disease (including COVID-19) for maritime arrivals to Western Australia ports





















Page | 1 189 Royal Street East Perth Western Australia 6004

Telephone (08) 9222 4222 TTY 133 677 PO Box 8172 Perth Business Centre Western Australia 6849

www.health.wa.gov.au

Protocol for management of risk of a Listed Human Disease (including COVID-19) for maritime arrivals to Western Australia ports

Last updated: 28 July 2020

Disclaimer

This process does not apply to crew members afflicted with non-infectious diseases (e.g. physical injuries, chronic health conditions, mental health condition etc), where a human biosecurity officer (HBO) approval for disembarkation is not required. This process also does not negate the requirement to complete a Traveller with Illness Checklist (TIC) health assessment.

Purpose

To describe the communication process between relevant agencies to assist with the detection of a Listed Human Disease (LHD), including COVID-19, for maritime vessels arriving into Western Australian ports.

Process

If the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) receives a Pre-Arrival Report (PAR) from a merchant vessel that states the vessel has had any illness on board in the last 14 days, the DAWE officer will seek further information from the vessel’s shipping agent.

Step 1: Completion of the TIC health assessment for each crew member as per standard operational processes.

If no reason identified to contact an HBO proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Completion of further screening questions (Appendix A)

FREMANTLE PORT ARRIVALS

If the TIC raises any concerns for an LHD, including COVID-19, DAWE will call the on-call duty officer on 08 9328 0553.

If the further screening questions (Appendix A) raises suspicion that an LHD, including COVID-19, may be the cause of the illness, the DAWE officer will provide the information, along with the PAR to the HBO at Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC). This notification will be via email to [email protected] during office hours (8am-5am Monday to Friday). After hours notification (Sat/ Sun/ public holidays and overnight 5pm-8am) should be to the on-call duty officer on 08 9328 0553.

During office hours, PHEOC will respond to DAWE at [email protected] within 3 hours with a suggested plan of action which will include whether there is a concern for a LHD, restrictions that should be placed on the vessel and crew and whether COVID-19 testing is required. If DAWE do not receive a response from PHEOC, DAWE will phone PHEOC on 08 9222 0221 (or by 5pm, whichever is sooner).

http://www.health.wa.gov.au/






Outside office hours, the on-call WA HBO will provide advice over the phone to DAWE and send an email outlining the plan which will include whether there is a concern for an LHD, restrictions that should be placed on the vessel and crew and whether COVID-19 testing is required.

DAWE will inform the following organisations of outcome of the PHEOC/ on-call HBO assessment and plan:

i) Fremantle Port Authority (FPA) at [email protected] and [email protected],

ii) Australian Border Force at [email protected] or 08 9430 1570, iii) Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) at

[email protected] or (08) 94302100 and the iv) Vessel’s shipping agent.

If the PHEOC/ on-call HBO determines testing for COVID-19 is indicated, PHEOC will organise with PathWest and the State Health Incident Coordination Centre (SHICC) for specimen collection.

DAWE, in liaison with the Port Authority, will arrange for the vessel to berth to allow access to the ill crew member for testing and medical assessment, if needed.

The shipping agent will liaise with WA Police (WAPOL) for an exemption for entry into WA and relevant direction to be granted, if the ill crew member needs to disembark from the vessel.

If FPA or the ABF officer receives intelligence regarding any illness on board a vessel that has otherwise not been determined to be an LHD risk by the above process, they will inform DAWE at [email protected]. If there is a concern for an LHD (including COVID) in hours DAWE will email PHEOC on [email protected] and out of hours call the on-call duty officer on 08 9328 0553.

PHEOC will inform DAWE, FPA, ABF, AMSA, WAPOL (if attended the vessel), SHICC and the shipping agent of the results of any tests taken for COVID-19 as soon as they are available.











Communication Flowchart (Metropolitan) - business hours (08:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday)

Communication Flowchart (Metropolitan) - after hours (17:00 to 08:00 Monday

to Friday, weekends and public holidays)

If the TIC raises concern of an LHD, contact an HBO as per standard operational

processes.

If no concerns raised by TIC but further screening

questions raise a concern, DAWE to email PHEOC

Biosecurity officer (Fremantle DAWE) emails the HBO at

[email protected] regarding

concerns of an LHD

The HBO at PHEOC performs a risk

assessment for a LHD and advises

further management.

PHEOC emails the plan to Fremantle

DAWE

If Fremantle DAWE have not received a

response from PHEOC within 3 hours or before 5pm, Fremantle DAWE to phone PHEOC on 9222

0221

PHEOC will email Fremantle DAWE, FPA, ABF, AMSA,

SHICC and shipping agent of COVID-19 test results

Fremantle DAWE to liaise with FPA, ABF, AMSA and shipping

agent re the berthing of the vessel and access to unwell crew for testing and/or medical

assessment

If testing for COVID-19 is advised,

PHEOC to liaise with PathWest and

SHICC re logistics of specimen collection

and / or medical assessment.

If a direction is needed in order for the crew member to disembark, the shipping agent will liaise with WAPOL.

Fremantle DAWE emails the FPA, ABF, AMSA and

shipping agent the outcome of the WA HBO management

plan

Biosecurity officer (Fremantle DAWE) phones the on-call duty officer on 08 9328 0553 with a

concern of an LHD

On-call HBO performs a risk assessment for an LHD and advises

further management to Fremantle DAWE

On-call HBO emails the plan to Fremantle DAWE within 3 hours

of being alerted to the concern

If Fremantle DAWE does not receive

written confirmation of the plan within 3 hours , the officer phones the on-call duty officer on 08

9328 0553

PHEOC will email Fremantle DAWE, FPA, ABF, AMSA,

SHICC and shipping agent of COVID-19

test results

Fremantle DAWE liaises with FPA, ABF, AMSA and shipping

agent re the berthing of the vessel and

access to unwell crew for testing and/or

medical assessment

If testing for COVID-19 is advised, PHEOC

to liaise with PathWest and SHICC

re logistics of specimen collection

and / or medical assessment.

If a direction is needed in order for the crew member to

disembark, the shipping agent will liaise with WAPOL

Fremantle DAWE emails the FPA, ABF, AMSA and shipping

agent the outcome of the on-call HBO

management plan





REGIONAL PORT ARRIVALS

If the TIC raises any concerns for an LHD, including COVID-19, Regional DAWE will call the Regional HBO during business hours (see Appendix B for contact details) (8am-5pm Monday to Friday). After hours notification (Sat/ Sun/ public holidays and overnight 5pm-8am) should be to the on-call duty officer on 08 9328 0553.

If the further screening questions (Appendix A) raise any suspicion that an LHD,

including COVID-19, may be the cause of the illness, the Regional DAWE officer will

provide the information, along with the PAR to the Regional / on-call HBO. This

notification will be via phone to the Regional HBO during business hours (See

Appendix B for contact details) or via phone to the on-call duty officer on 08 9328 553

after hours, on weekends and public holidays.

During office hours, the Regional HBO will perform a risk assessment and discuss an

action plan with an HBO based at PHEOC via phone call on 9222 0221 and follow up

email on [email protected] . Once an action plan is agreed, the Regional

HBO will respond to the Regional DAWE officer within 3 hours with a plan of action via

email and phone (see appendix C). The plan will include whether there is a concern

for an LHD, restrictions that should be placed on the vessel and crew and whether

COVID-19 testing is required.

The Regional HBO will also notify, the respective Regional Emergency Operations (REOC) through the on-call Regional Health Disaster Co-ordinator (RHDC) by email (see Appendix C for contacts) and cc PHEOC on [email protected]. The RHDC will inform the Regional Director and WACHS Emergency Operations Centre (WACHS EOC) via email [email protected] and by phone on 1800 975 225 (24 hours). WACHS EOC will email the relevant PHU. PHEOC will inform SHICC on [email protected].

Outside office hours, the on-call HBO will provide advice over the phone and send an email to Regional DAWE and cc PHEOC on [email protected] and the regional HBO (See Appendix B for contact details). The plan will include whether there is a concern for an LHD, restrictions that should be placed on the vessel and crew and whether COVID-19 testing is required.

The on-call HBO will also contact the respective REOC through the RHDC (see Appendix D for contacts). RHDC in turn will notify the Regional Director and WACHS Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) via [email protected] and by phone to 1800 975 225 (24 hours).

PHEOC will inform SHICC on [email protected].

During office hours, if Regional DAWE are unable to contact the Regional HBO to notify of a concern, or do not receive an email with a plan of action within 3 hours or by close of business, the Regional DAWE will phone the Regional HBO or, failing that, PHEOC on 9222 0221.












Outside office hours, if Regional DAWE do not receive an email with a plan of action

within 3 hours, they will phone the on-call duty officer on 08 9328 553.

Regional DAWE will inform the following organisations of the outcome of the HBO

assessment and plan: (see Appendix C for contacts)

i) Relevant Port Authority (PA) ii) Australian Border Force iii) Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) iv) Vessel’s shipping agent.

If the PHEOC/ on-call HBO determines testing for COVID-19 is indicated (as directed

by the regional HBO or on-call HBO), the RHDC will organise access to testing and /

or medical care and will inform local health services of possibility of suspect COVID-

19 case needing medical assistance.

The shipping agent will liaise with WA Police (WAPOL) for an exemption for entry into WA and relevant movement / centre direction to be granted, in the instance a crew member needs to disembark from the vessel.

If the regional PA or ABF officer receives intelligence regarding any illness on board a vessel that has otherwise not been determined to be an LHD risk by the above process, they will inform the Regional DAWE office (see Appendix B for contacts). If there is a concern for an LHD in hours DAWE will inform the Regional HBO during office hours or the on call the on-call duty officer on 08 9328 0553 out of hours.

The HBO will inform DAWE, PA, ABF, AMSA, SHICC, WAPOL (if attended the vessel), the shipping agent, the regional director and REOC via RHDC (see Appendix D for contacts) of the test results as soon as they are available.





Communication Flowchart (Regional) - business hours (08:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday)

Communication Flowchart (Regional) – after hours (17:00 to 08:00 Monday to

Friday, weekends and public holidays)

Regional DAWE will phone Regional HBO with a concern for an

LHD.

If unable to contact Regional HBO within

3 hours, Regional DAWE will call

PHEOC on 9222 0221

Regional HBO performs a risk

assessment for an LHD and discusses

with an HBO at PHEOC

Regional HBO will email

management plan to:

1. Regional DAWE

2. REOC via RHDC

cc PHEOC,

PHEOC will alert SHICC

Regional DAWE will email

management plan to:

1. Port Authority

2. ABF

3. AMSA

4. Shipping agent

Regional HBO will receive COVID results and will email these to:

1. Port Authority

2. ABF

3. AMSA

4. Shipping agent

5. Regional DAWE

6. REOC via RHDC

7. PHEOC

RHDC will coordinate the logistics of testing

for COVID-19, if advised, and / or

medical assessment.

If a direction is needed in order for the crew

member to disembark, the shipping agent will

liaise with WAPOL.

RHDC will email management plan to:

1. Regional Director

2. EOC

Regional Biosecurity Officer (Regional

DAWE) phones the on-call duty officer with a concern of a

Listed Human Disease (including COVID-19) on 08

9328 0553

On-call HBO to perform a risk

assessment and provide phone advice

on management to Regional DAWE

On-call HBO emails management plan to:

1. Regional DAWE

2. REOC via RHDC

cc PHEOC and regional HBO

PHEOC will alert SHICC

If Regional DAWE do not receive a

management plan within 3 hours,

Regional DAWE will phone after hours duty officer on 08 9328 0553 again

The on call HBO will email results to:

1. Port Authority

2. ABF

3. AMSA

4. Shipping agent

5. Regional DAWE

6. REOC via RHDC

7. Regional HBO

RHDC will email the management plan to:

1. Regional Director

2. EOC

RHDC will coordinate the logistics of

testing for COVID-19 if advised, and/or

medical assessment.

If a direction is needed in order for the crew member to

disembark, the shipping agent will liaise with WAPOL.

Regional DAWE will email the

management plan to:

1. Port Authority

2. ABF

3. AMSA

4. Shipping agent





Appendix A: Enhanced COVID-19 risk assessment to be completed for each ill crew member on a maritime vessel suspected to have a Listed Human Disease

Step 1: Collect crew details

Name of unwell crew Click or tap here to enter text.

Date of Birth Click or tap to enter a date.

Gender Male ☐ Female ☐

Nationality on passport Click or tap here to enter text.

Step 2: Determine if there are any COVID-19-related symptoms in the last 14 days

Please indicate all symptoms experienced in the last 14 days by checking the applicable box(es): Symptoms

Fever ≥ 37.5°C Yes ☐ No ☐

Date of onset Click or tap to enter a date.

Date of resolution Click or tap to enter a date.

What was the highest recorded temperature (OC)?

History of fever (night sweats/ chills)

Yes ☐ No ☐



Cough Yes ☐ No ☐



Shortness of breath Yes ☐ No ☐







Sore throat Yes ☐ No ☐



Loss of smell

Yes ☐ No ☐



Loss of taste

Yes ☐ No ☐



If no to all of the above, advise the traveller to seek their own medical advice. There is no further need to continue with this questionnaire or to contact an HBO. If yes, continue to Step 3

Step 3: Assessment of the cause of symptoms

Is there concern for a respiratory illness on board? Yes ☐ No ☐

Has anyone on board been diagnosed with COVID-19? Yes ☐ No ☐

Has anyone on board been identified as a contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case in

the last 14 days? Yes ☐ No ☐

Does this crew member require urgent medical assistance / hospitalisation?

Yes ☐ No ☐

Has a Doctor provided a clinical assessment of the ill crew member been provided?

Yes ☐ No ☐

Was this performed in person (tick appropriate)? Yes ☐ No ☐

If so, what was the advice was provided? What treatment was started? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________





Provide contact details of the Doctor who assessed this ill crew member

___________________________________________________________

Step 4: Obtain prior travel information

Vessel Name

Shipping Agent

Contact details

Vessel Master

Contact details

Vessel itinerary in

the 28 days prior to

symptom onset

Port visited Date

Activities at the port

Date ill crew member embarked the vessel

Click or tap to enter a date.





Date of last shore leave for the ill crew member


Date of the most recent arrival of new crew to the ship.


Step 5: Contact a Human Biosecurity Officer

Follow the communications protocol to contact a Human Biosecurity Officer.

.





APPENDIX B: Contact information for Western Australian Human Biosecurity Officers (HBOs)

JURISDICTION First Point of Contact Second Point of Contact

WA - Fremantle Seaport Mon-Fri – 8:00am – 5:00pm [email protected] Out of hours (08) 9328 0553

(08) 9222 0221 (Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm)

WA - Geraldton Seaport Midwest Population Health Unit - Ask for the Public Health Physician

Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm (08) 9956 1971

Out of hours (08) 9328 0553

[email protected]

(08) 9222 0221 (Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm)

WA - Esperance Seaport Goldfields Population Health Unit - Ask for the Public Health Physician

Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm (08) 9080 8200

Out of hours (08) 9328 0553

[email protected]

(08) 9222 0221 (Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm)

WA - Albany Seaport Great Southern Population Health Unit - Ask for the Public Health Physician

Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm (08) 9842 7525

Out of hours (08) 9328 0553

[email protected]

(08) 9222 0221 (Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm)

WA - Port Hedland Seaport, Dampier Seaport, Port Lambert Seaport, Barrow Island, Port of Wheatstone

Pilbara Population Health Unit - Ask for the Public Health Physician

Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm (08) 9174 1660

Out of hours (08) 9328 0553

[email protected]

(08) 9222 0221 (Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm)






WA - Port Hedland Seaport, Dampier Seaport, Port Lambert Seaport, Barrow Island, Port of Wheatstone

Pilbara Population Health Unit - Ask for the Public Health Physician

Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm (08) 9174 1660

Out of hours (08) 9328 0553

[email protected]

(08) 9222 0221 (Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm)

WA - Bunbury Seaport, Busselton Seaport

South West Population Health Unit - Ask for the Public Health Physician

Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm (08) 9842 7525

Out of hours (08) 9328 0553

[email protected]

(08) 9222 0221 (Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm)

WA - Broome Seaport, Derby Seaport, Wyndham Seaport, Yampi Sound, Christmas Island, Cocos Island

Kimberley Population Health Unit - Ask for the Public Health Physician

Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm (08) 9194 1642

Out of hours (08) 9328 0553

[email protected]

(08) 9222 0221 (Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm)





APPENDIX C: Contact information for W.A. Port Authorities, Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment and Australian Border Force

Port Authority Responsible for Contact Details of Port Authority Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment

Australian Border Force

Fremantle Port Authority

Port of Fremantle Movements@ fremantleports.com.au AND [email protected] Office hours: 08 9335 1300 After hours: 08 9335 1300

[email protected] Office hours 08 6232 7020 After hours 0411 724 510

[email protected] 24/7: 08 9430 1570

Indian Oceans Territory

Christmas Island Office hours: 08 9164 8434 After hours: 0439 215 225 Email: [email protected] Cocos Island Office hours: 08 9162 06501 After hours: 08 9162 06501 Email: [email protected]

[email protected] Office hours: 08 91647456 After hours: 08 91320275 / 0411 724 510

[email protected] 24/7: 08 9164 7228

Kimberly Port Authority

Port of Broome [email protected] AND [email protected] Office hours: 08 9194 3100 After hours: 0419 044 765 / 0417 173 679

[email protected] Office hours: 08 9194 1221 After hours: 08 9132 0275

[email protected] 08 9193 6999

Mid-West Port Authority

Port of Geraldton [email protected] AND [email protected] Office hours: (08) 9964 0520 After hours: 0437 413 734

[email protected] Office hours: 08 9965 5786 After hours: 0411 724 510

[email protected] 24/7: 08 9965 7200

Pilbara Port Authority

Port of Ashburton Port of Dampier

Ashburton [email protected] Office hours: 08 9159 6556 After hours: 08 9159 6556 Dampier [email protected] Office hours: 08 9159 6566

Ashburton [email protected] Office hours: 08 9185 2865 After hours: 0409 225 805 Dampier [email protected]

Ashburton [email protected] 24/7: 08 9144 3500 Dampier [email protected] 24/7: 08 9144 3500








mailto:[email protected]/

















Port of Hedland

After hours: 08 9194 6566 / 0427 299 645 / 0400 468 724 Port Hedland [email protected] Office hours: 08 9160 6800 After hours: 08 9160 6800

Office hours: 08 9185 2865 After hours: 0409 225 805 Port Hedland [email protected] Office hours: 08 9132 0275 After hours: 08 9132 0275

Port Hedland [email protected] 24/7: 08 9158 1000

Southern Ports Authority

Port of Albany Port of Bunbury Port of Esperance

Albany [email protected]

Office hours: 08 98 929000 After hours 08 98 929000 Bunbury [email protected] Office hours: 08 9729 6527 After hours: 08 9729 6527 Esperance [email protected] Office hours: 08 9072 3365 After hours: 08 9072 3365

Albany [email protected] Office hours: 08 9866 7427 After hours: 0429 001 208 Bunbury [email protected] Office hours: 08 9866 7427 After hours: 0429 001 208 Esperance [email protected] Office hours: 08 9866 7427 After hours: 0429 001 208

Albany [email protected] 24/7: 08 9845 5800

Bunbury [email protected] 24/7: 08 9792 6800

Esperance [email protected]

24/7: 08 9076 2601

Ports under Shipping and Pilotage Act 1967 and the Marine Harbours Act (SPA Ports)

Proclaimed Port

Port Facility Facility Operator Port Authority Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment

Australian Border Force

Wyndham Cambridge Gulf Ltd [email protected] AND [email protected]

DAWE Darwin Office See Broome details

Yampi Sound Cockatoo Island Koolan Island

Pluton Resources Mt Gibson Iron Ore

[email protected] DAWE Broome Office See Broome details

Derby Shire of Derby-West Kimberley [email protected] DAWE Broome Office See Broome details





















Port Walcott Cape Lambert Robe River Mining (Rio Tinto) [email protected] DAWE Karratha Office See Dampier details

Port of Cape Preston

CITIC [email protected] DAWE Karratha Office See Dampier details

Varanus Island Santos [email protected] DAWE Karratha Office See Dampier details

Barrow Island Chevron Australia [email protected] DAWE Fremantle Office See Fremantle details

Onslow Airlie Island Onslow Thevenard Island

Santos Onslow Salt Chevron Australia

[email protected] DAWE Karratha Office See Dampier details

Carnarvon Cape Cuvier Useless Loop

Dampier Salt (Rio Tinto) Shark Bay Salt

[email protected] DAWE Geraldton Office WA Carnarvon 08 9941 6400 [email protected]












APPENDIX D: Contact information for Regional Health Disaster Co-Ordinator (RHDC)

RHDC Co-ordinator

REOC Contact Information

Central EOC

1800 975 225

E: [email protected]

Wheatbelt REOC

1800 955 828


Great Southern REOC

1800 975 335


South West REOC

1800 966 219


Midwest REOC

1800 955 919


Goldfields REOC

1800 976 123


Pilbara REOC

1800 955 819


Kimberley REOC

1800 669 229


Key:

• EOC = Emergency Operations Centre

• REOC = Regional Emergency Operations Centre










I:\C_L\CL.4204-Add.3.docx

E

4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT

LONDON SE1 7SR Telephone: +44 (0)20 7735 7611 Fax: +44 (0)20 7587 3210

Circular Letter No.4204/Add.3 2 March 2020

To: All IMO Member States

United Nations and specialized agencies Intergovernmental organizations Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with IMO

Subject: Operational considerations for managing COVID-19 cases/outbreak on

board ships The Secretary-General of IMO has received the attached guidance on "Operational considerations for managing COVID-19 cases/outbreak on board ships" prepared by WHO. Member States and international organizations are encouraged to disseminate the guidance to all parties concerned as widely as possible.

***

Circular Letter No.4204/Add.3 Annex, page 1


ANNEX



___________

◾◾

◾

◾

Infection prevention and control management for frontline COVID-19 response workers working with airline/cruise/cargo ship passengers and crew

This document provides information on the infection prevention and control management of airline, cruise/cargo ship or other passengers and crew requiring to be evacuated or placed in hotel or other isolation. WA Health, Police, Defence, emergency services, Australian Border Force and other agency staff will be referred to as WA agency staff.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

It is advised that conservation of PPE is practised whenever possible. The below advice is based on PPE conservation principles. Used PPE should be placed in a plastic bag and the bag should be tied shut. The bag must not be filled more than 3/4 full. PPE can be disposed of in the general waste stream unless it is heavily contaminated by body fluids (i.e. vomit or blood).

Meeting with passengers/crew at a distance for administrative purposes

Administrative purposes could include such interactions as provision of legal documents or providing briefings or directions to passengers or crew. It would be expected that WA agency staff would not require to touch or come into close contact with passengers or crew - i.e. a distance of at least 1.5 metres can be maintained at all times.

It is expected that all disembarking passengers/crew will be provided with a surgical mask by WA Agency staff to wear for the duration of transit/transport to forward accommodation. Exceptions to this may apply if a person is unable to tolerate wearing a mask i.e. small child.

WA agency staff meeting for administrative purposes do not require full PPE. PPE should consist of a surgical face mask. This face mask may be worn for multiple interactions with passengers/crew and requires to be changed only when the mask becomes saturated or soiled. Effective hand hygiene should be practised by WA agency staff upon completion of these interactions and at any time when the face mask has been accidentally touched. WA agency staff should not touch their faces or the mask at any time.

health.wa.gov.au

Meeting with passengers/crew for interactions within 1.5 metres but involving minimal or no touching

WA agency staff should avoid having direct contact (touching) passengers/crew were possible.

WA agency staff should wear PPE appropriate to droplet precautions. This should include gloves, gown or coverall, surgical mask, protective eyewear or face shield. These must be donned and doffed as per Appendix 1.

WA agency staff can wear the same PPE between interactions with different passengers/crew, with the exception of gloves. Gloves must be changed between interactions if WA Agency staff have had direct contact with the passengers/crew. Hand hygiene must be performed after removing and before replacing gloves. Surgical masks will require to be changed when they become saturated (this may be after 2-3 hours) or when visibly soiled.

Marine Industry staff should follow the Australian Government “Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for the Marine Industry” advice available at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-marine-industry

Marine pilots should follow the Australian Government “Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for marine pilots” advice available at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-marine-pilots

Passengers requiring assistance to mobilise

WA agency staff should wear PPE appropriate to droplet precautions. This should include gloves, gown or coverall, surgical mask, protective eyewear or face shield. These must be donned and doffed as per Appendix 1. Gloves ideally should be changed between each passenger, but if this is not practical due to rapid interaction (i.e. assisting to disembark or board a vehicle), then provision should be made for passengers to perform hand hygiene at the earliest opportunity. Passengers should also be wearing a mask and should be reminded not to touch their face and especially their eyes.,

Passengers requiring medical evacuation

The passenger should be wearing a surgical mask (if their medical condition will allow it). WA agency staff assisting in a medical evacuation or who are assisting the extremely symptomatic passenger to disembark should wear PPE appropriate to the severity of symptoms. Droplet precautions would be appropriate This would include gloves, gown or coverall, and surgical mask. If there is the potential for an aerosol generating procedure (AGP) (CPR/intubation) to occur, then a P2/N95 mask, protective eyewear or face shield should be worn in addition to gloves and gown or coverall. These must be donned and doffed as per Appendix 1.

Luggage

Where possible, luggage should be handled separately from the passengers. Luggage should be removed from the ship/aircraft and placed in the bus or vehicle hold. Luggage handlers should wear gloves and disposable coveralls/gown only. These must be donned and doffed to prevent self-contamination as per Appendix 1. If the passenger is going to accommodation, the luggage should be left outside the door of the accommodation to be collected by the passenger after the luggage handler has left. If the passenger is going to the airport or other onward

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-marine-industry




journey, the luggage should be removed from the bus or vehicle and left for the passenger to collect once the luggage handler has left the immediate area of the luggage hold.

The luggage handler should perform effective hand hygiene after handling luggage and should not touch their faces at any time.

Trolleys used for transport of luggage should be cleaned and disinfected.

General waste

General waste from suspect or confirmed COVID-19 cases or those in self-isolation or quarantine can be handled as per established general waste handling protocols. Hand hygiene should always be performed after handling any waste.

Please refer to Hotel providers who have guests isolating in their premises for waste management at hotels/accommodation – available at: https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/-/media/Files/Corporate/general-documents/Infectious-diseases/PDF/Coronavirus/COVID19-Accommodation-providers-that-have-guests-who-are-self-isolating-as-confirmed-cases.pdf

Clinical waste

Clinical waste should be handled according to established protocols. Clinical waste would include items such as heavily blood-soaked dressings, tubing containing large amounts of body fluids, needles and syringes and other items usually considered clinical waste. PPE is not considered a clinical waste unless heavily contaminated by body fluids such as blood, vomit or faeces (i.e. PPE worn while attending a medical emergency).

Appendix 1

Sequence for donning and doffing PPE

Donning (putting on) PPE Doffing (removing) PPE

Perform hand hygiene Perform hand hygiene

Coverall/gown/apron Coverall/gown/apron

Mask or respirator Perform hand hygiene

Protective eyewear Mask or respirator

Gloves Perform hand hygiene

Last updated 3 June 2020

This document can be made available in alternative formats on request for a person with disability.

© Department of Health 2020

health.wa.gov.au

https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/-/media/Files/Corporate/general-documents/Infectious-diseases/PDF/Coronavirus/COVID19-Accommodation-providers-that-have-guests-who-are-self-isolating-as-confirmed-cases.pdf



Information for border staff – Version 11 (06/04/2020) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) 1

Information for Border Staff This information sheet should be read in conjunction with the ‘COVID-19 – Frequently asked questions’ fact sheet.

What is Australia doing? To capture ill travellers who may have been exposed to COVID-19, the Department of Health has included additional questions on the Traveller with Illness Checklist (TIC) for biosecurity officers to administer. The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is in contact with airlines and international vessels to ensure compliance with pre-arrival reporting requirements of ill travellers. The Department of Health is also providing additional communication material for travellers at all international ports. This material informs travellers of the symptoms of COVID-19 and encourages them to report to biosecurity officers if they are experiencing symptoms while in the port environment. Travel bans are in place for all foreign nationals. Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families, and New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia, may be subject to enhanced health screening measures at the border and are required to undergo mandatory quarantine in designated facilities for 14 days after arriving in Australia. The Australian Department of Health is closely monitoring this situation in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the states and territories, and will keep border agencies informed. Border workers should continue to follow existing processes for screening ill travellers arriving at our international air and sea ports using the updated TIC. This includes identification of ill travellers and referral to human biosecurity officers where indicated.

How does COVID-19 spread? COVID-19 is most likely to spread from person to person through:

• direct contact with a person whilst they are infectious

• contact with droplets when a person with a confirmed infection coughs or sneezes, or

• touching objects or surfaces that are contaminated from a cough or sneeze from a person with a confirmed infection, and then touching your mouth or face.

Evidence suggests the virus may be spread the day before symptoms develop in some infected persons, which means it may be difficult to know if a person is infected in the early stages. Risk of infection to border workers from someone who has COVID-19 but is not yet displaying symptoms is still considered low.

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-frequently-asked-questions

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-frequently-asked-questions

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) 2


How can I reduce my risk? When should I wear full PPE? As COVID-19 most likely spreads through direct contact with droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, casual contact with travellers who are not showing symptoms is not considered a high risk for infection. If interviewing an ill traveller or ill crew you should wear a surgical mask, full length disposable gown, gloves and eye protection in accordance with your workplace guidance. PPE must be used appropriately to be effective. If you are required to wear PPE, you should be trained in the correct way to put on, remove and dispose of all PPE. If you are unsure of the process, talk to your supervisor about appropriate guidance. All used PPE should be placed in a lined bin and disposed of with other waste in the arrivals area of an international port. The following measures will also help reduce the risk further:

• Practise and promote frequent handwashing throughout your shift. When hand washing facilities are not readily available, alcohol-based hand rub is recommended. Use according to instructions or receive advice from your supervisor.

o If you are regularly handling documents from travellers, it is good practice to use hand sanitiser regularly and avoid touching your face.

• Where possible, stay 1.5 metres or more away from others. • Practise and promote good cough etiquette. • Undertake appropriate cleaning and disinfection activities. • Use PPE if close contact with an ill traveller is required.

The risk to border staff working at the primary line and biosecurity inspection areas is considered low. The risk to border staff working in the cargo and mail processing areas and other areas of air and sea ports is considered extremely low. Social distancing should still be practised in all areas. PPE in the form of gloves, gowns, eye protection or face shields is not considered necessary when performing these roles. However, frequent handwashing (including the proper use of alcohol-based sanitisers), social distancing and cough etiquette should still be practised in this setting. If a border officer elects to wear disposable gloves, or other PPE items supplied by their agency, regular hand hygiene is still required and care must be taken to avoid breaching the glove material.

What should I do if I develop symptoms? There is no need for alarm, however, the COVID-19 outbreak is a concern. If you develop symptoms, call a doctor and describe your profession as a border worker with possible contact with travellers. If you are coughing, ask for a medical mask to wear while you are at the doctor. You should also:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet.

• Cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol-based hand rub. • Keep 1.5 metres distance from other people where possible.



Will I be contacted if I have been exposed to someone with COVID-19? When someone is diagnosed with COVID-19 in Australia, health authorities conduct contact tracing. Contract tracing is when public health staff contact people who had close contact1 with the unwell person during their contagious period. You will be notified by staff if you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 and you will be given information and advice relevant to your exposure.

Where can I get more information about COVID-19? For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au. Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The phone number of your state or territory public health agency is available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts. If you have concerns about your health, speak to your doctor.

1 Close contact is when a person has spent more than 15 minutes face-to-face or more than two hours in a closed room with an infected person.

http://www.health.gov.au/

http://www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts

1

Information for marine pilots Additional immigration and reporting requirements and isolation recommendations apply to travellers who have been in, or transited through, a country other than Australia. For more information, see the COVID-19 information for the marine industry fact sheet

What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Symptoms of coronavirus include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath. Other symptoms can also include night sweats, chills, loss of smell and loss of taste.

How does COVID-19 spread? COVID-19 is most likely to spread from person to person through:

• Direct contact with a person while they are infectious; • Contact with droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes; or • Touching objects or surfaces that are contaminated by droplets from secretions

coughed or sneezed from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face.

What is Australia doing? Foreign travellers from all countries cannot enter Australia. Australian citizens and permanent residents (and their immediate family) and New Zealand nationals who live in Australia can travel to Australia.

All travellers entering Australia must quarantine in the state or territory in which they disembark.

Australian citizens and permanent residents cannot travel overseas.

International maritime crew can apply for an exemption to these restrictions. Crew disembarking commercial vessels must quarantine.



2

What vessels have COVID-19 requirements?

• Vessels with crew who have left, or transited through, any country other than Australia.

• Vessels that have ill crew or passengers on board. • Vessels that have suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on board.

How do I find out if a vessel may be subject to COVID-19 requirements? The vessel is legally required to provide this information in the pre-arrival report through Maritime Arrivals Reporting System (MARS).

If you are boarding a vessel which has not yet completed the pre-arrival report, you should contact the vessel agent to find out this information.

How can I reduce my risk? The following measures will help reduce the risk:

• Where possible, contact with persons on board the vessel should be limited to essential crew.

• Pilots should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), (face mask) while on board any vessel with COVID-19 requirements listed above (even if the vessel has been at sea for more than 14 days). This is recommended for marine pilots due to the length of time marine pilots can be on board and the extended close contact they may have with crew.

• Pilots should make sure they have enough masks for the time they are on board. The number of masks will depend on whether they will be in close contact with essential crew for short or long periods.

• Pilots should replace masks each time they become damp or soiled. • Pilots should avoid touching their face (mouth, eyes, and nose) with unwashed

or gloved hands. • Pilots should wash their hands often with soap and water, or use alcohol-based

hand sanitiser, before and after eating as well as after attending the toilet. • Pilots should cough or sneeze into their elbow or a clean tissue, then dispose of

the tissue and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser. • Where possible, pilots should stay 1.5 metres or more away from crew unless

wearing appropriate PPE. • If a pilot becomes aware of any ill person on board, they should contact their

local port authority and public health authority, and ask the vessel master to report the illness in their pre-arrival report.

• The ill crew member or passenger should isolate on the vessel in a single cabin until further direction is given by a biosecurity officer or human biosecurity officer.

3

Am I subject to enhanced health screening and isolation recommendations if I pilot a vessel? By following these guidelines, marine pilots are exempt from Australia’s health screening and quarantine recommendations on arrival into Australian ports.

If you have been in contact with ill persons while on board the vessel, make yourself known to the biosecurity officer on arrival.

If you do not follow the advice in this fact sheet, you will be required to quarantine for 14 days from the time of disembarkation from the vessel.

What should I do if I develop symptoms after disembarking the vessel? With appropriate precautions, it is unlikely that any illness or symptoms you develop could be related to this virus. If you do become ill, tell your doctor or clinic when making an appointment that you work at an international port. The clinic will provide you with information on how to safely seek medical care.

You should also:

• Isolate yourself at home or in your accommodation and avoid contact with others until a doctor or respiratory clinic assesses you.

• Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

• Use good cough and sneeze hygiene – cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands afterwards.

• Inform your supervisor of your symptoms.

Will I be contacted if I have been exposed to someone with COVID-19? When someone is diagnosed with coronavirus in Australia, health authorities conduct contact tracing.

You will be notified by health staff if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 and you will be given information and advice relevant to your exposure. It is unlikely that a marine pilot following the advice given in this document would have close contact with an ill person.

4

Other information The Department of Health is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the World Health Organization and Australian states and territories.

Where can I get more information about COVID-19? For questions about the temporary ban on international cruise ships or travel restrictions:

• Contact the Australian Border Force Border Operations Centre at +61 1300 368 126

• For health-related biosecurity questions while on board: • Contact the Maritime National Co-ordination Centre 1300 004 605 (operating

hours 6am-6pm Australian Central Standard Time, for urgent after hours enquiries call +61 417 666 648)

• For general COVID-19: • For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au • Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. The

line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting, call 131 450.

• If you have concerns about your health, speak to a doctor.

Contact the relevant state or territory public health agency about state and territory requirements and exemptions www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts

Information for marine industry – version 9 (22/05/2020) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) 1

COVID-19 information for the marine industry

This fact sheet applies to all international voyages and maritime crew entering Australia, except for cruise ships and cruise ship crew. Additional immigration, reporting and quarantine requirements apply to maritime crew who have been in, or transited through, a country other than Australia in the past 14 days.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19? Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever and respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, tiredness and shortness of breath.

What is Australia doing? Entry restrictions apply to foreign travellers from all countries. Exceptions include Australian citizens and permanent residents (and their immediate family) and New Zealand nationals resident in Australia.

Travellers entering Australia are currently required to undertake a period of mandatory quarantine in the state or territory in which they disembark.

Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents are restricted from travelling overseas.

International maritime crew have exemptions to these restrictions. More information on the restriction and exemptions is available from Australian Border Force.

Maritime crew disembarking commercial vessels are still subject to self-isolation requirements outlined in this document.

What vessels have COVID-19 requirements? • Vessels with crew who have left, or transited through, any country other than Australia

in the last 14 days.

• Vessels that have ill crew or passengers on board

• Vessels that have suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on board. The Maritime Arrival Reporting System (MARS) identifies vessels arriving within the 14-day time period that require additional screening requirements. Vessels that have been at sea for more than 14 days, with no illness on board, do not pose a COVID-19 risk. Where vessels have a suspected case of COVID-19 on board, a state and territory human biosecurity officer will determine the appropriate course of action. This may include self-isolation, hospitalisation or COVID-19 testing. The vessel will not be allowed to unload goods or disembark travellers until cleared to do so by a biosecurity officer or a human biosecurity officer.


What should commercial vessels do if a crew member is ill? The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is in contact with international vessels to ensure they understand the requirements and comply with pre-arrival reporting of ill travellers.

As per the normal pre-arrival reporting process, it is a legal requirement to report all crew who have been ill, through MARS. The ill crew member should isolate on the vessel in a single cabin until further direction is given by a biosecurity officer or human biosecurity officer.

A biosecurity officer will then meet the vessel to screen for COVID-19 and other serious infectious diseases among ill crew. Biosecurity officers do this by administering the Traveller with Illness Checklist (TIC) to the ill crew member, or by discussing case diagnoses with the vessel’s doctor. Depending on the outcome of the TIC, a state and territory human biosecurity officer will provide advice to the biosecurity officer. The biosecurity officer will tell the vessel master what they need to do next. A biosecurity officer or human biosecurity officer may also issue directions for the management of a suspected case of COVID-19 and contacts of that person.

If testing for COVID-19 is recommended by a human biosecurity officer, the vessel will be directed to berth at a port and the ill person can either be tested at the port or transferred to a medical facility. This will be at the discretion of a human biosecurity officer. Health care workers will not board a vessel at anchorage and a port authority should not stop a vessel berthing because of an ill traveller.

What if a crew member requires medical attention? Notifying a biosecurity officer will not interfere with the vessel being met by medical or ambulance services. The operator of the vessel is responsible for requesting medical or ambulance services. The operator should inform medical or ambulance services if anyone on board is suspected to have COVID-19 or has been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, and the travel history of the ill passenger and the vessel over the past 14 days.

What are the requirements for international maritime crew on arrival into Australia? For the purposes of this factsheet, maritime crew are defined as anyone required to be part of a crew operating or providing services to support the operation of a commercial vessel (excluding cruise vessels) or a government vessel in Australian waters. This includes support staff such as livestock handlers and veterinarians.

Maritime crew must not join a vessel or travel domestically if experiencing any signs of illness and should seek medical assistance.

The following are the national recommendations for maritime crew. Mandatory quarantine is enforced under state and territory public health legislation however and individual states and territories may choose to implement additional requirements at the point of arrival.

International maritime crew travelling to Australia (via aircraft) to join a vessel:

• Are not required to undertake 14 days of mandatory quarantine in designated accommodation on arrival and are instead required to self-isolate at their accommodation or on the vessel.


• May be subject to additional screening by biosecurity.

• Must proceed directly to the vessel on arrival or self-isolate at their accommodation prior to joining the vessel.

• May travel domestically and/or take a domestic flight to meet their vessel at the next point of departure if required, but must self-isolate at their accommodation for any layover time.

International maritime crew travelling to Australia (by sea):

• Must complete their 14-day self-isolation period following the departure from their last international port of call.

• Time at sea counts towards the 14-day self-isolation period if no illness has been reported on-board. Crew signing off commercial vessels that have spent greater than 14 days at sea, with no known illness on-board, do not need to self-isolate on arrival.

• All crew signing off a vessel at an Australian port are permitted to transit and depart Australia via air or proceed to join another vessel in Australia. If this is within the 14-day period, crew must travel directly to the flight or vessel and must isolate in accommodation for any layover time.

• Australian crew can return to their normal place of residence in Australia. If this is within the 14-day period, crew must complete the remainder of their 14-day self-isolation period in their residence.

Self-isolation means that when not in transit crew should remain at their accommodation and not attend public places or have visitors. Detailed information can be found in the self-isolation guidance information on Health’s website https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others-from-coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-self-quarantine-for-coronavirus-covid-19.

Maritime crew are subject to state and territory requirements. Exemptions to state and territory requirements should be sought from the relevant state or territory.

Crew in their 14-day isolation period (either joining a vessel or on a vessel that is in the 14-day period):

• Are permitted to undertake vessel functions but must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing these functions.

• Must limit interactions with non-crew such as marine pilots or biosecurity staff.

• Must wear PPE in public spaces on-board the vessel when non-crew are on-board.

• Must report if they have fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath.

Can disembarking crew who are within the 14-day self-isolation period fly within Australia or take public transport? Crew should firstly follow any instruction given to them by biosecurity officers, state or territory health authorities, or Australian Border Force officers, at the time of disembarkation. Crew should also check any domestic quarantine and isolation requirements and exemptions with the relevant State or Territory Health Authority if transiting domestically.

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others-from-coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-self-quarantine-for-coronavirus-covid-19




Providing no alternate advice has been given, Australian crew who are not ill can travel domestically to reach their usual place of residence within Australia to complete their self-isolation period. For isolation period concessions and precautions for maritime crew, refer also to advice from the Australian Border Force.

All crew signing off a vessel at an Australian port are permitted to transit and depart Australia via air or proceed to join another vessel in Australia. If this is within the 14-day period, crew must travel directly to the flight or vessel and must quarantine in accommodation for any layover time. Within the 14-day period, crew should avoid taking public transport and should use their personal car for transport when transiting where possible.

Are there additional requirements for vessels if crew join the vessel while in their 14-day quarantine period? Joining a vessel taking domestic legs within the 14-day quarantine period, will result in the 14-day isolation requirement recommencing for the vessel and all crew on-board.

How can the marine industry reduce the risk to the crew of commercial vessels? Crew should be advised to continue to follow existing employer infection prevention work instructions when in contact with anyone who is unwell, including the use of PPE when recommended by employer work instructions.

The following measures will help reduce the risk of illness on board commercial vessels: • Crew should be encouraged to practise good hand hygiene and good sneeze/cough

hygiene: o Wash hands often with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand sanitiser,

before and after eating as well as after attending the toilet; and o Cough and sneeze into the elbow or a clean tissue, dispose of the tissue and

use alcohol based hand sanitiser o If unwell, avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people).

• Crew should be encouraged to avoid touching the face (mouth, eyes, and nose) with unwashed or gloved hands.

• Crew should use appropriate PPE if close contact with an ill person is required.

• If PPE is used, it should be fitted and worn properly.

• Vessel should ensure appropriate cleaning and disinfection activities are undertaken.

What cleaning and disinfection activities are appropriate for commercial vessels? Commercial vessels should follow existing protocols for cleaning and disinfection.

Environmental cleaning and disinfection guidelines are being developed by an expert group and will be published in future updates of this factsheet when available. The following are general recommendations for cleaning and disinfection practices:

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-information-about-routine-environmental-cleaning-and-disinfection-in-the-community.pdf


Routine Sanitation

Routine cleaning and disinfection practices are essential in minimising the spread of infection. Increasing the frequency of routine cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces is an important measure in controlling the spread of infection (such as hand rails, guard rails, dogs, hatch combings, shared navigation equipment, chair backs and arms). It is recommended that all vessels arriving from areas affected by COVID-19 thoroughly clean and disinfect frequently touched areas.

Response to an ill crew member

Following identification of a crew member with COVID-19, the local public health unit should be contacted for specific guidance on areas to be disinfected and disinfection procedures.

Other considerations

Baggage and Packages:

• No additional precautions are recommended for baggage and packages that accompany ill crew members. Routine precautions are recommended.

Waste Management:

• No additional precautions are recommended for the handling of standard waste. All personnel handling waste should use standard precautions and perform hand hygiene after removing personal protective equipment.

• Waste disposal and destruction should be conducted according to standard protocols, legislation and regulations.

How can the marine industry reduce the risk to marine industry staff (e.g. stevedores)? Persons should be advised to continue to follow existing employer infection prevention work instructions when in contact with anyone who is unwell, including the use of PPE when recommended by employer work instructions.

Vessels are to provide PPE to their crew so vessels entering Australia within the 14-day period can meet Australian requirements.

Time at sea, health screening, risk profiling and the requirement for crew to wear PPE when interacting with non-crew for 14 days since departing their last port all minimise the risk to stevedores.

The following measures will help reduce the risk of illness on board commercial vessels:

• Marine industry staff should be encouraged to practise good hand hygiene and good sneeze/cough hygiene. Including

o Washing hands often with soap and water, or using alcohol-based hand sanitiser, before and after eating as well as after attending the toilet

o Coughing and sneezing into the elbow or a clean tissue, disposing of the tissue and using alcohol based hand sanitiser

o Avoiding contact with others (staying more than 1.5 metres from people).

• Marine industry staff should be encouraged to avoid touching the face (mouth, eyes, and nose) with unwashed or gloved hands.


• Marine industry staff interacting wharf-side with crew from a vessel subject to COVID-19 requirements should stay 1.5 metres or more away from crew

• All crew must remain on-board while a vessel with COVID-19 requirements is berthed in Australia. Crew are permitted to conduct essential vessel functions at the port and must wear PPE while performing these functions.

• Crew must also wear PPE in public spaces on-board the vessel while non-crew members are on-board. Crew not performing essential work must quarantine when non-crew members are on-board. Non-essential interactions with non-crew should be restricted.

Are Australian marine industry staff (e.g. stevedores) subject to health screening and quarantine requirements if they board a vessel with COVID-19 requirements? Australian marine industry staff are exempt from Australia’s health screening and quarantine requirements when the guidance in this document is followed.

If staff have been in contact with people with symptoms of COVID-19 while on board the vessel, staff should make themselves known to the biosecurity officer.

For the most current testing criteria, please visit the Department of Health’s guidelines.

What should marine industry staff (e.g. stevedores) do if they develop symptoms after disembarking the vessel? With appropriate precautions, it is unlikely that any illness or symptoms marine industry staff develop will be related to this virus. If, however, marine industry staff become ill, they should inform their doctor or clinic when making an appointment that they have had some contact with people who may have had exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.

They should also:

• Wash their hands frequently, with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub

• Use good cough and sneeze hygiene – cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and wash their hands afterwards, or use alcohol-based hand rub.

• Inform their supervisor of symptoms.

• Isolate themselves at home or in their accommodation and avoid contact with others until they have been assessed by a doctor or respiratory clinic.

Other information The Department of Health is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the World Health Organization and Australian states and territories.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and National Cabinet meet regularly to consider and revise the restrictions placed on Australians and industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Downloading the COVIDSafe app helps protect you, your friends and family by speeding up the process of contacting people exposed to coronavirus. Find out more by visiting https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/what-you-need-to-know-about-coronavirus-covid-19#testing

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app


Who should vessels contact if they need further advice? For questions about travel restrictions:

• Contact the Australian Border Force Border Operations Centre at +61 1300 368 126 For human biosecurity questions:

• Contact the Maritime National Co-ordination Centre 1300 004 605 (operating hours 6am-6pm Australian Central Standard Time, for urgent after hours enquiries, call +61 417 666 648)

For general COVID-19 information:

• For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au

• Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting, call 131 450.

• The phone number of each state or territory public health agency is available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts

• If you have concerns about your health, speak to a doctor.

http://www.health.gov.au/

http://www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts

COVID-19 Port Outbreak Response Plan Guidelines

Documents

Transcript of COVID-19 Port Outbreak Response Plan Guidelines