Decontamination
Positive case at Muaiwalu 1 Wharf
THE FIJI ports Corporation Ltd team decontaminated Muaiwalu 1 (M1) Wharf in Suva on June 19 after a crew member onboard the F/V Pakasoa tested positive for COVID-19.
Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd (FPCL) chief executive officer Vajira Piyasena said the corporation was made aware of the situation on Friday June 18.
He said the wharf was closed off to minimise the risk to the public and for decontamination to be conducted at the wharf and premise.
The corporation is not aware of where the crew member had contracted the virus from, but stated that the person of interest lived at Qauia — an area where existing COVID-19 cases was identified.
The foreign flagged fishing vessel that is based in Fiji had arrived in January and was at anchorage for some time out in the Suva Harbour.
“They had planned to depart on Friday, June 18, but on June 15 the vessel shifted to M1 to load provisions, bait and bunker,” he said.
“All the crew were requested to be swabbed on the vessel as a pre-departure procedure on June 17 and after swabbing the crew were asked to return home and await the results. If all clear, the vessel was to depart on June 18.
“On June 18, the Ministry of Health contacted the agent and advised them of the positive case of one of the crew members, so all those crew that had returned home were asked to self-isolate at home.
“They did not return to the wharf or the vessel .” Upon being notified by the Ministry of Health, the corporation took immediate and swift action to close down the wharf.
“For all vessels (at the wharf), all crew remained onboard and there was no access in and out of the port premises.
“At all FPCL facilities and premises, all COVID-19 safety measures and procedures are undertaken, including the wearing of PPEs, taking of temperature and social distancing.”
He said the swift action minimised further disruption to port services and operations.
“FPCL is responsible for the infrastructure of FPCL facilities, wharves and jetties and enforcing the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport and Ministry of Health guidelines.
“However, the FPCL team is currently working on new procedures to maintain security and safe COVID-19 measures to ensure FPCL staff and the public can adhere to further strengthen our fight against COVID-19 and the spread of the virus.
“FPCL management has done our best to address the issue in these challenging times and would like to emphasise that the FPCL will continue to assess and improve its security and COVID19 safety measures for all FLPCL premises, wharves and jetties to keep Fiji and FPCL staff safe and protected in order to remain fully operational.”