By Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) released on Sunday a set of guidelines for the maritime transport sector in areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ).
In accordance with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and Department of Health (DOH) protocols, passenger capacity in ships, and other passenger vessels will be reduced to 50 percent.
Upon entering the port premises and terminals, all individuals must fill out and accomplish health protocol forms.
A mandatory checking of body temperature will also be conducted on, upon entering the terminal and embarkation on ships.
The DOTR cited that social distancing measures will be stringently observed inside the ports, ships, and other passenger vessels, at all times.
In the port facilities, particularly areas for frontline services, such as passenger terminal buildings (PTB), port integrated clearing offices and other areas, physical distancing will also be strictly practiced.
In an effort to maintain cleanliness and sanitation, all disinfecting facilities, such as footbaths, handwashing stations with alcohol and/or soap, and sanitation tents will be established at all entrances of the terminals, ports, in ships, and other passenger vessels, the Department said.
Wearing of personal protective equipment (PPEs) will also be mandatory.
Upon entering the ports, terminals, and passenger vessels, all individuals will undergo disinfection procedures, such as foothbath, among others.
The DOTR said a thorough disinfection of ships, passenger vessels, ports, terminals and facilities, as well as various equipment, will be done and implemented routinely. to ensure that all premises are regularly cleaned and sanitized.
Likewise, information on hygiene and sanitary practices and measures will be provided for the passengers through different media platforms in PTBs, and other strategic locations of the ports and terminals.