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SINGAPORE: Approximately 27,000 employees ashore were screened for COVID-19 in a “single sweep” between Jan.2 and Jan.8, the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said on Thursday (Jan. 14), adding that all least one tested negative.
“All were negative in the PCR test, except for one person who was positive and positive in the serology, and it was evaluated that he recovered from the COVID-19 infection,” said the authority, referring to the chain reaction tests of polymerase.
A positive serology test indicates a probable past infection.
Ashore personnel include those who perform essential work on board ships in ports, such as loading and fueling operations, repairs and maintenance, as well as surveys and inspections.
They were tested after recent COVID-19 cases in the industry, including a marine surveyor at Lloyd’s Register Singapore and a marine services engineer at Master Systems Marine.
Both cases have been related to family groups.
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VACCINATION FOR GROUND PERSONNEL
COVID-19 vaccination for personnel on the ground began Wednesday, MPA said.
This is part of the Government’s measures to protect front-line workers, and will include personnel who must board a ship in port, such as pilots and seafarers who are Singaporean or long-term residents.
As part of the additional requirements, all shore-based personnel will be required to register and exit using SafeEntry @ Sea when embarking and disembarking at all offshore facilities beginning Friday.
They must provide details of their company and the vessels to be boarded and comply with safe management measures on board.
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Workers must also submit proof of a valid negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test from a path-by-list testing program, ad hoc COVID-19 test, or rapid antigen test performed within 72 hours. hours before boarding the ship.
As previously announced, the frequency of routine tests listed for shore-based personnel who board ships regularly will also increase from every 14 days to every seven days.
“The owner, occupant or manager of the waterfront facility must perform strict controls and not allow any personnel to come on board if no proof of a negative test result is presented or if the personnel do not use SafeEntry @ Sea,” he said. MPA.
The owner or captain of the vessel that is boarding the shore crew must also verify that the workers have the required test results.
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