The Panama Canal announced that one of its personnel was tested positive for COVID-19. Since the start of the alert, cleaning and disinfection have been reinforced in the operating areas, work sites and offices, as well as the supply of hygiene supplies that allow employees to follow the recommendations for hand and face washing, among other, the Canal informed in an official statement.
Immediately, the protocol established by MINSA has been followed, like the rest of the cases at the national level, to isolate other collaborators who have had contact with this person.
As an organization with nearly 10,000 collaborators, residing in different regions of the country, the Panama Canal has maintained “close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, in order to handle eventual positive cases by COVID-19”.
Last week, the Panama Canal informed of a series of measures taken as a precaution to prevent spread of COVID-19.
For the specific case of COVID-19, additional measures have been taken:
Panama canal authorities have been conducting inspections for contagion risk on 100% of the ships that arrive in jurisdictional waters of the Panama Canal. The existing controls are:
- The ship is required to report its conditions on board, and currently it does so through the Single Maritime Window of Panama (VUMPA). In case of non-compliance and / or giving false information, it is subject to penalties and / or restrictions.
- The archer of the Panama Canal embarks and confirms the 9 questions included in the Maritime Health Declaration through a form previously filled out in the VUMPA.
- Once onboard, he questions the captain or officer in charge again to confirm that there are no patients onboard or someone with related symptoms at that moment.
- In case there is a positive response, and depending on the symptoms, the MINSA Maritime Health is called to board, and boarding and disembarking are prohibited during that time.
Once inspected by MINSA, we proceed depending on the results.
For specific cases of COVID-19, the Panama Canal has implemented additional measures:
- The ship must report to MINSA when crew changes occur in the last 14 days coming from ports with COVID-19 cases.
- The Panama Canal archer calls by radio before boarding the ship, confirming again if they are all healthy on board and if they have had any recent crew changes.
- Masks and alcohol gel have been offered to staff.
- Permanent communication is maintained with the MINSA Maritime Health doctors.
- The MINSA sent a communication to all the shipping companies, which obliges them to report anyone who has symptoms of the disease, regardless of whether or not they are related to COVID-19.
The Panama Canal will continue to ensure the integrity and well-being of its human team, while meeting its constitutional responsibility to maintain a continuous and safe service.