20 Crew Tested Positive for COVID-19, Vietnamese Cargo Denied Port Entry

TheIndonesia.id - A Vietnamese cargo ship was denied entry by Port Health Office (KKP) Class II Samarinda, East Kalimantan, after 20 crew tested positive for COVID-19.

As reported by SuaraKaltim.id, MV Viet Thuan Ocean arrived on Muara Berau waters in Kutai Kartanegara regency on Monday, December 6, and was immediately checked by KKP officials. 22 crew ship were tested, and the result showed 20 had contracted COVID-19.

The information was confirmed by head of port authority and harbormaster office (KSOP) Class II Samarinda Mukhlis Tohepaly. He said upon the ship’s arrival, his office conducted health document checking, ship sanitation, and antigen test.

Initial test showed 18 people had been infected with the virus, and follow-up PCR test showed 20 crew were COVID-19 positive.

He said the case will be treated collectively by all concerning institutions, in accordance with applicable regulations.

“We’ve had coordination meeting between institutions where we discussed preventive measures according to health protocols,” Tohepaly confirmed.

Head of KKP Class II Samarinda Solihin also confirmed the ship is currently in quarantine, and the next steps will be to carry out contact tracing and disinfection in the ship.

The 20 crew are prohibited to leave the ship and have been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. According to regulation, if their health situation improves, the quarantine period will end, but if not, it will be extended for another 14 days. Therefore, loading and discharging process isn’t yet permitted.

KKP, KSOP, the police, and immigration will take part in monitoring the health of the crew. The joint effort also aims to ensure none of the crew leaves the ship during quarantine.