The Ministry of Health of Greece, after the lifting of the special measures of the coronavirus pandemic, sent a circular to all competent authorities with the sanitary requirements set out in it regarding the entry of foreigners into our country in order to ensure preparedness for outbreaks of infectious diseases.
In this context, the need to prepare for the response of the health authorities at the country’s entry gates and, in particular, the sanitary control authorities and port sanitation services, is emphasized. It is emphasized that the authorities should be prepared for early detection source of disease on ships. This applies to individuals who show symptoms characteristic of infectious diseasessuch as gastroenteritis, influenza and coronavirus.
At the same time, each port should develop an emergency plan based on its current capacity and taking into account the risk profile of its facilities. In addition to contingency plan ports hosting international ships should have special action plans that will include specific standardized operating procedures in the event of a possible or confirmed case of disease.
All participating staff must be trained to implement the prescribed emergency response plan or standard operating procedures, and know who to contact in the event of a potential infectious disease outbreak.
Port authorities with international ships should ensure that places are provided at their facilities where it is possible to accommodate (including for quarantine) citizens who are suspected of being infected. Of course, if it is deemed necessary.
In addition, it is recommended that port authorities’ action plans take into account the existing capacity to manage public health incidents. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the maximum number of cruise ships and passengers that the port can accept in case of an emergency, whether it is a home port, a reserve port or an intermediate destination “transit port” – both daily and in general during the entire tourist season.
Suggested criteria for this purpose are locations available for public health measures for travelers, hospital bed capacity, availability of public health measures on ships, etc.
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