Singapore Strengthens Rules For Shore-Based Personnel in Maritime Sector After New COVID Cases

After a marine surveyor and a harbour pilot tested positive for COVID-19 infection on 30 and 31 December 2020 respectively, Singapore strengthened the regulations for shore-Based Personnel in Maritime sector.

The agencies are also investigating if there had been any breach of COVID-19 safe management measures in the newly found cases.

In light of the two recent cases, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has decided that all shore-based personnel going onboard ships will need to take a COVID-19 PCR test within the next seven days, between 2 and 8 January 2021, to give assurance that they are clear of COVID-19. This will cover more than 20,000 personnel.

Thereafter, these personnel will be subjected to a tighter rostered routine testing (RRT) regime; they will be tested every seven days instead of 14 days previously. Those who do not adhere to the RRT regime will not be allowed to board ships to work, as per a joint statement from the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore, Singapore Economic Development Board, Enterprise Singapore and the Ministry of Health.

MPA, EDB and relevant agencies will be stepping up checks to ensure compliance of COVID-19 safe management measures by companies and individuals. The joint statement clearly says, Individuals and companies which are found to have violated these measures will be taken to task. Agencies will also review the need to enhance PPE and infection control measures in the sector.