The Cyprus Shipping Chamber welcomed the joint statement signed by the heads of the five UN bodies on March 25, calling on governments to give priority to Seafarers in the National Vaccination Program to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an official statement Wednesday, the Chamber noted that the safe movement of seafarers is essential for the continuation of world trade on which the recovery of the world economy depends.
Considering that they are the “essential workers” who will transport, among other goods, quantities of vaccines or specialized booths for the maintenance of vaccines, their safety must be ensured, giving them priority to the Cyprus Vaccination Program, in order to continue their important work, the Chamber said.
The Cyprus Shipping Chamber calls on the Cypriot Government to proceed immediately with the vaccination of Cypriot seafarers, including cadets, employees of Cyprus-based shipping companies, ship inspectors who are required to travel onboard ships, and to essential staff in the port of Limassol, in order for Cypriot Shipping to continue its substantial contribution to the Economy and Society of Cyprus,
…the Chamber said.
Last week, the Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Director-General of ILO, the Secretary-General of the IMO, the Director-General of WHO, and the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) jointly issued a statement urging all UN Member States to protect seafarers and aircrew through vaccination as soon as possible in order to facilitate their safe movement across borders.
