PCG urged to follow nCoV safety protocols

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) frontliners have been urged to strictly follow safety protocols to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (nCoV) while performing their duties in sea ports.

PCG Commandant Admiral Joel Garcia instructed port state control officers to protect themselves and adhere to guidelines issued by the Bureau of Quarantine.

These measures include avoiding close contact with ship crews, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 masks and gloves, and proper disposal of used PPE.

Frontliners are also advised to maintain hand hygiene with sanitizers and to immediately report any ship crew member showing flu or pneumonia symptoms during boarding procedures.

Furthermore, ship crews are advised to limit unnecessary movements, wear PPE when disembarking in the Philippines, and follow guidelines for waste disposal.

These preventive measures are to be implemented for vessels arriving from countries with reported nCoV cases, based on their port of origin or last port of call within the past 14 days.