Page 13 - SG Nautilus Issue 47.indb
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ISSUE 47  PAGE 11


                                                  SPECIAL FEATURE

                        leading a





                        swift response







                        As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, Jon White reflects on the Maritime and Port Authority of
                        Singapore’s leadership and contingency planning in its immediate response to the arrival of the virus

                        When COVID-19 hit, the maritime community across   In the days that followed, national and international
                        the world was severely impacted. Borders were closed,   containment measures were swiftly implemented

                        warehouses overflowed, and sailings were cancelled.   to enable early detection at sea checkpoints. As the
                        Some ship crew were unable to leave their ships, while   maritime community quickly adapted to a new normal,
                        other seafarers were stuck in hotels without being able   MPA continued to lead the charge in navigating the

                        to get a flight home, prolonging their homesickness.  crisis by disseminating travel advisories and circulars
                                                                    on temperature screening, health declarations, and
                        EARLY MEASURES AND RESPONSE                 cleaning and disinfecting for increased vigilance.
                        The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
                        sprang into action once pockets of COVID-19 cases   CARING FOR SEAFARERS
                        started appearing in Singapore. As early as mid-  MPA’s preparedness was put to the test on
                        January, MPA swiftly engaged Singapore’s port terminal   January 29, when the fi rst COVID-19 case related
                        operators, PSA Singapore and Jurong Port, as well as   to a seafarer was detected. Although MPA had
                        the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), Singapore   already implemented temperature screening at

                        Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU), and  Singapore   all sea checkpoints for inbound travellers (MPA

                        Organisation of Seamen (SOS) through a tripartite   subsequently implemented it for outbound travellers
                        collaboration to coordinate a united response. This   in February), a reminder was promptly issued
                        multi-stakeholder co-ordination would prove vital in   to the shipping community on the need to take
                        getting ahead of what would later evolve into a global   precautionary measures, as well as to remain vigilant
                        health and economic crisis.                 and adopt good hygiene practices at all times.
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