COVID-19 MOMBASA PORT REGULATIONS
By Douglas Muriithi
COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic threatening
to wipe out human lives and the Port of
Mombasa just like many other industries is not
exceptional.
The management wish to share the latest
update and the efforts being undertaken by the
Kenya Ports Authority management to control
the spread of the virus.
As of 13th April 2020, KPA has seven
confirmed COVID-19 cases since the pandemic
started.
Four of these cases involve KPA staff while
three are contracted cleaners working in the
Port.
Unfortunately, KPA lost two members of staff to
the disease while all those who had contacts
with the patients have been identified and are
being monitored in quarantine within Mombasa.
Currently, all the patients are admitted at the
Coast Provincial General hospital and are
responding well to treatment.
KPA wishes to reiterate its commitment in
fighting the scourge, we have already instituted
several serious measures to control the spread
of the virus in the Port.
Following the outbreak of the killer disease KPA
appointed a committee of senior managers to
plan, manage and coordinate the Authority’s
preparedness to combat the virus.
The Committee which has since enhanced
KPA’s preparedness by making concerted
efforts to acquire preventive equipment and
facilities.
Have so far put up 107 handwashing points
with antiseptic soap and placed sanitizer
dispensers at various areas.
These include all entry gates, buildings, offices
and operation areas and most importantly staff
are regularly issued with face masks.
Screen notices at the Port entrances especially
at gate 24 which prompt everyone to wear a
mask before entering the Port compound.
It is also important to note that KPA have
enabled on-line cargo documentation
processes to facilitate our customers clear
cargo electronically and decongest human
traffic within the Port.
Still on awareness, KPA are also using
stationary Public Address System to remind
workers about hygiene requirements.
Fumigation has also been carried out especially
in offices occupied by staff found to be positive
or suspected to have contracted the virus and
plans are underway to extend this to cover the
entire port.
Surgical gowns have been acquired for clinical
staff and those with close interaction with
vessels such as pilots, security officers among
others.
To ensure compliance, Isolation rooms have
been set up at Bandari clinic where suspected
patients are temporarily held waiting for public
health officers to pick them up. More rooms are
being prepared for this purpose.
The management has also released staff above
58 years of age and those with pre-medical
conditions to work from respective homes in
order to avoid crowds at the workplace in line
with the government circular.
As you are aware, KPA are the key facilitators of
maritime trade hence together with the Port
Public Health officers we have rolled out
detailed procedures to handle the vessels.
These are as follows:
Mandatory Pre-arrival Reporting on board must
be undertaken at least 48 hours before the
vessel arrival in Kenya’s territorial waters.
Masters of ships must therefore submit a duly
completed and compulsory Maritime
Declaration of Health form to the Port Health
officer.
Masters shall regularly update the Port Health
Office on the health status of the crew on
board.
All arriving vessels with crew/passengers with
recent travel history to countries with confirmed
cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days must
undergo special monitoring and Port Health
must issue restricted pratique.
Every ship entering Kenya from a country with
confirmed cases of COVID-19 is subjected to
rigorous inspection in the designated location
as directed by the Harbour Master in
consultations with Port Health Office.
If at any time during a vessel’s stay at port, any
health risk is reported, a Port Health Officer
shall conduct assessments on a case by case
basis to manage the risk and eliminate
contamination other crew port personnel and
others
Crew/passengers with any of these symptoms
(fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, sore
throat, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, cough
or shortness of breathing) the Master Must
report to the Port Health Office.
Crew/passengers of vessels from confirmed
COVID-19 countries will Not be granted shore
passes.
Only Kenyans and foreigners with valid
residence permits will be allowed to disembark
after presentation of Health Declaration forms
and by the health Authorities.
All visitors (dockworkers, agents, surveyors,
port state inspectors) to a ship from countries
confirmed with COVID-19 cases must be
informed about the precautionary measures
while on board.
It shall be prohibited for anyone to board a
vessel before the completion of the health
inspection of the crew or passengers.
All visitors to use protective disposable mask
and latex gloves while on board and should
dispose them on board before disembarking in
a special disposal bin.
Masters of all ships due to arrive in a Kenyan
port are required to declare their last 10 ports of
call or voyage memo for the last three months,
whichever is higher, and confirm that there is no
crew showing symptoms of COVID-19 on board.
Ships agents, if possible, should use alternative
means of contacting the vessels instead of
boarding the vessels, so as to minimize
potential contamination risk.
Ship crew change is temporarily suspended
until further notice. The exception is given to
Kenyan crew and persons with valid resident
permits.
The Masters of vessels shall be required to
provide sanitizers at the ship’s gangway for
persons entering and upon exit.
Garbage from vessels arriving from confirmed
COVID-19 countries will not be allowed to be
discharged at any Kenyan Port.
Staff and the entire port community are
assured that no efforts shall be spared to
ensure the Port remains a safe working
environment.
The Authority shall also continue supporting
the National and County Government efforts in
the war aga
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