KPA taking ‘preventive measures’ to tackle spread of COVID-19 from day 1
Several circulars, administrative decisions issued: official
KUWAIT CITY, May 14: The Director-General of the Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA) Sheikh Yusuf Al-Abdullah said the KPA has taken preemptive measures since the beginning of the outbreak of the coronavirus - COVID-19 and after its spread in the neighboring countries, reports AlRai daily.
He pointed out, the successful preventive measures adopted by the Kuwait Ports Authority at all the commercial ports in Kuwait will be relayed to all Arab ports because the measures have been to a large extent successful in preventing the spread of the virus.
In a statement, Al-Abdullah said the KPA has issued several successive circulars and administrative decisions since last January and includes all procedures and instructions issued by the World Health Organization.
Meetings
“We have made several correspondences and held meetings using remote communication programs with friendly and brotherly countries to exchange experiences, including the Chinese port of Shanghai, which was able to overcome the crisis with minimal losses, and we have benefited from it,” AlAbdullah added.
He pointed out the meeting was organized (via video conference) also with the port authorities and the maritime transport sector of the Gulf Cooperation Council states operating under the umbrella of the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council States with the aim of exchanging information and procedures and studying the development of joint contingency plans for the port sector in the GCC states to manage such crises.
He explained, “All successful preventive measures followed in the Kuwaiti commercial ports will be circulated to all Arab ports through the Arab Sea Ports Federation of the General Secretariat of the Arab League, which I am honored to chair.”
Al-Abdullah touched on some of the preventive measures of the KPA including examining the crews of ships arriving in the waiting area outside the port borders, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health getting a pledge signed by the captains of the ship to ‘quarantine’ anyone suspected of the disease.
He stressed the KPA is determined to sterilize ships before they enter the ports area and has issued all guidelines to conduct medical examinations as well as clearing the ports eight times a day and that includes the goods and containers by the General Administration of Customs and distributing protective tools, masks, gloves and sterilization materials to the KPA employees and its visitors.