NT Health has refused to undertake COVID-19 testing of crew members onboard the vessel at the centre of the alleged biosecurity breach at the Port of Darwin.
However, the seafarers had requested the tests through the International Transport Workers’ Federation.
After NT Health’s refusal, the operator of the Tacoma Trader, through their Australian agent, has also written to health authorities formally requesting that COVID tests be provided for their employees.
Commenting on the situation, MUA Assistant National Secretary Adrian Evans said it was bizarre that NT Health, “which is the only facilitator of the best practice COVID testing in the Territory”, was refusing to allow the seafarers to be tested, which would confirm whether there were any active cases onboard.
NT Health thinks the COVID risk posed by the Tacoma Trader is so severe that 13 Darwin wharfies have to be locked up in Howard Springs for a fortnight, yet they are refusing to allow COVID testing of the crew which would confirm whether there is any actual threat
Mr. Evans said, adding that for NT Health to not only refuse to test the crew, but tell the ship’s operator and the union that they are not allowed to arrange for a simple COVID test, is a breach of international obligations to seafarers’ health.
The vessel had now been stuck at the Port of Darwin for nearly a week, unable to be unloaded and loaded, because of the actions of NT Health, creating uncertainty around all other international vessels due to arrive at the port.
NT Health was claiming the issue related to PPE, despite the wharfies wearing the exact same PPE and following the same COVID safety plans that have been in place for every vessel arrival for more than 14 months
What is more, this sitution has caused the Port of Darwin to grind to a halt, and left 13 people in quarantine.
