Seafarers feel imprisoned by a coronavirus: “locked up” on board ships and returned home



[ad_1]

The sailor, who has reached out to the media, says in the letter that he spends two weeks at sea, the next time he is forced to isolate himself at home, although he is always tested when he returns. You have to repeat it again to get out. The man calculated that by doing four tests a month, they are negative, but self-isolation is necessary. He looks with jealousy at his colleagues in Poland, Romania and Estonia, where it is not mandatory to isolate seafarers, and there are certain benefits in Latvia.

“First of all, I am very angry because I work in international waters, in the European Union. The devil knows when that virus will end. I understand that my problem is that I am a sailor, well, but everyone does some kind of work, that is what I do, what I work for. I called the National Public Health Center (NVSC), asked, how will I be isolated each time? So if that virus will exist one more year, will I sit like a prisoner at home locked up? , and on the boats we sit closed. The whole world is going crazy, that is clear. We at work are also full of disinfectants, with masks that you need to work while you eat to keep your distance. Well, so to speak, we are careful, ”writes Ramūnas.

So if that virus will exist for another year, will I sit like a locked-in prisoner?

He asked the NVSC about the contradictory information, as the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that seafarers do not need to be isolated. The man found out that this condition is valid only for ships sailing to and from Lithuania.

And what makes us different? He says he will fly for a few hours on the plane. And how long does a bus trip take, for example, from Vilnius to Klaipeda? Do you think a good 4 hours? I have the same chance of getting infected as when I travel by bus. I would say it is not very fair, “said Ramūnas.

The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that “the crew and crew members who work in Lithuanian companies engaged in international commercial transport or carry out international commercial transport in all types of vehicles must isolate themselves from the day of arrival in the Republic of Lithuania until departure from its territory, but not more than 10 days. ”

The man who wrote the letter says that according to the details of the work, the term “international transport” is also included, but there is a lack of clarity in the self-isolation system for seafarers, especially since the planes are currently empty and the passengers are seated at a distance from each other. This is also emphasized by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, which states that the risk of infection at an airport is the same as in other public areas.

The EU intends to make exceptions

The EU has also recently focused on certain professions, and the recommendations seek to establish certain quarantine exemptions. Self-isolation should not be required:

doctors, border regions, seasonal workers; workers in the transport and services sector; patients traveling for medical reasons; children, students and apprentices who travel regularly; people traveling for essential family or business reasons; diplomats, staff of international organizations and persons invited by them whose physical presence is necessary; military, police and humanitarian aid workers; travelers in transit; Seafarers; journalists doing their job.

“When the world came to a standstill in the spring, ships and ferries were the main sources of deliveries. Airplanes were not flying, everything was almost closed. If it weren’t for ferries and ships, the world would probably have stopped. So Therefore, do not wait for the seafarers to come out of isolation, because if the planes do not fly again and the airports are already empty, the ferries will continue sailing, the cargo will be transported. This will guarantee the delivery of medical equipment, food and everything else. Ramūnas says.

Company photo / Restricted air transport in spring Ferries were one of the few means of transport between countries.

Company photo / Restricted air transport in spring Ferries were one of the few means of transport between countries.

The problem is known

Ministry of Health (SAM) 15 minutes reported that it was aware of the described situation of isolation of seafarers and was undoubtedly aware of the inconveniences involved.

“Taking into account the general agreements of the European Union countries, Lithuania also plans to adjust and mitigate the requirements accordingly. However, it should be noted that so far some relief has been provided: people returning from abroad may feel Well, if they do not feel the symptoms of the coronavirus, they can go for a walk in the countryside. It is expected that they will not be able to walk more than 1 kilometer from their point of isolation, but they must wear protective equipment (masks, respirators or other means) covering their nose and mouth.

In addition, the isolation period can be reduced to 10 days after the National Public Health Center (NVSC) receives information from the electronic health system about the negative result of the study. In case the study is not done, the person is put in isolation for 14 days as before. We remind you that in order to successfully control and prevent infectious diseases, seafarers, as well as other returnees and those in isolation, are prohibited from visiting meeting places (e.g. events, shops, museums, meeting places). restoration, etc.) “. – write in the response of the ministry.



[ad_2]