ATTENTION : ITF Gives Seafarers Tips To Avoid Coronavirus On Board

The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) has thrown it weigh behind the World Health Organization (WHO) to assist seafarers worldwide on how to manage the  spread of   the dreaded coronavirus.

ITF said the World Health Organization had released new guidelines for managing COVID-19 cases and outbreak of coronaviris on board ships.

It noted that “We want to also highlight some important recommendations for crew health and safety:”- Maintain distance from sick people while interviewing, escorting, or providing other assistance.

– Keep interactions with sick people as brief as possible.

– Limit the number of people who interact with sick people, if possible have 1 person give care and meals to the sick people.

– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

– Wash your hands often with soap and water

– Wear impermeable, disposable gloves if you are required to have direct contact with sick people or potentially contaminated surfaces, rooms, or lavatories used by sick passengers and crew members.

– Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after removing gloves.

– Discard used gloves in the trash .

– Ships should ensure that handwashing supplies and dispensers of alcohol-based hand sanitizer are readily available

ITF further appealed to seafarers to ensure that “If you have additional questions, please contact your government, your union or if you have have specific concerns.