When an oil platform worker registered a fever, the doctor advised him to self-isolate. However, being on an oil platform off the Mexican coast, he could only be reached with a helicopter, while in the meantime he shared a bedroom with three other workers. This has risen questions about Pemex’s actions to tackle COVID-19.
According to Bloomberg, this case, among others, open new questions about the ability of Petroleos Mexicanos, to protect workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, 72 workers and two contractors have died from the virus, as the company has informed.
Regarding the specific platform worker, he wasn’t tested for the virus until 10 days after his fever started. When he was evacuated, the company told him to self-isolate in a hotel in Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche.
As his condition worsened, he got to a hospital where doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia and put him on oxygen that helped him recover.
Commenting on the actions by Pemex, the worker said that they have increased sanitation measures on platforms and reduced the number of people who can eat together in the mess hall by half.
However, critics report that the action by Pemex actions mirror that of the Mexican administration, which was slow to enforce a national lockdown and has chosen not to shut down its ports of entry or restrict visitors.
Nevertheless, Pemex responded to the criticism, saying that it’s taking great pains to protect its workers. It also added that it is “sanitizing, sending workers home, and taking other measures to distribute supplies to keep work places and equipment clean.”
Additionally, oil companies in the Gulf of Mexico are also facing difficulties amid the COVID-19. As of May 22, there were no deaths in the US Gulf of Mexico among “about 25,000 people rotating on and offshore”, informs Justin Williams, a spokesman for the National Ocean Industries Association.
