The maritime sector is receiving today a document from the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda entitled “Prevention recommendations to be implemented in maritime passenger stations and on board ships for the reopening of passenger traffic”, which details everything from recommendations for the purchase of tickets to social distancing on board ships.
Firstly, it is recommended to "promote digital travel management to reduce as much as possible the time passengers spend physically present at maritime stations," meaning that the process of buying a ticket and obtaining a boarding pass should be done digitally or with as little contact as possible with employees.
During boarding and disembarking, it is recommended thatthe infrastructure be adapted with the primary objectives of maintaining physical distance between people and minimizing physical contact with the environment. These principles should be clearly communicated to passengers and terminal staff through public address announcements (short, frequent, and easily understood messages) and signage (information posters, video screens, distribution of updated information electronically, floor markings, traffic barriers and separators for passenger and vehicle flows, signs indicating restricted access areas, or any other means aimed at the same goals). All information should be provided in Spanish, English, and other languages depending on the predominant nationality of the passengers. All of this should be in accordance with the different phases of the de-escalation and the new normal.
Spaces will be made available, suitable for the delivery and/or sale of prevention material (masks, gloves, hydroalcoholic gel, disposable handle covers, disposable handles for luggage carts, etc.).
A protocol must be in place for the care of passengers with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 at the Port's maritime terminals, to be defined jointly by the Port Authority and the Port Health Authority. This protocol must be included in the terminal's Self-Protection Plan. Terminal personnel must be made aware of this protocol.”
In addition, the document recommends “adequate ventilation,” “supervision to avoid overcrowding,” and that “ground staff should receive basic training on current regulations and recommendations for preventing COVID-19 infections, proper use of personal protective equipment, and how to convey instructions to passengers in a clear, respectful, and patient manner.”
The document recommends reinforcing hygiene, cleaning and disinfection measures for both facilities and luggage.
“To ensure social distancing measures, flow organization measures may be implemented for boarding and disembarking at the terminal (such as staggered passenger arrival, capacity control in port facilities, the possible need to enable additional surfaces, etc.).”
Finally on board the ship:
- Each ship must have a Contingency Plan for the management and handling of possible COVID-19 cases, duly adapted to the ship's specific characteristics
- To ensure compliance with social distancing measures in force at any given time, notices may be issued recommending limiting passenger movement once on board, as well as implementing measures aimed at controlling capacity in common areas such as toilets, corridors, elevators, exterior decks, and hospitality areas (if their use is permitted).
- Visible information will be provided regarding the measures implemented, and announcements will be made over the public address system in Spanish and English, as well as in any other languages that may be necessary depending on the predominant nationality of the passengers.
- Adaptation of the performance of emergency exercises on board to ensure the maintenance of social distancing, using information through digital media, videos, instructions from the crew or public address system.
- In addition to other measures regarding information, hygiene, and social distancing.
Other measures for ships would include:
- The possible minimization of shore excursions by the crew once the ship is docked.
- Schedule for cleaning the ship's living areas intended for the crew, as well as access to garages
- Protocol for the management of possible cases of COVID-19 infection and their contacts that occur on board and conflict management.
- And other crew control measures.
