Hambantota Port takes precautions against coronavirus

The Hambantota International Port (HIP), with the coronavirus epidemic becoming a serious cause for concern, has put in place several measures to ensure the safety of its staff, environment, and the general public.

An Emergency Response Procedure is in place with three response levels. A special committee has been appointed headed by the CEO with all Heads of Departments (HODs) as members. Steps were taken to isolate and observe all employees and their family members who returned from China just before the epidemic broke and no cases have been reported so far, the port said in a media release on Monday.

The port has also placed an embargo on staff members who are in China for the Chinese New Year, asking them to stay back until the green light is given for safe travel by the Sri Lankan and Chinese authorities.

The port has done a complete sanitisation of its entire facility, and is conducting regular temperature checks on their employees as well as visitors to the port. Routine cleaning of all facilities and transport vehicles are in place. Hygiene standards have been improved by placing sanitary hand wash and disinfectant liquids in office spaces.

All tours of the port have also been temporarily halted, except for those that are especially authorised. Precautions include making it compulsory for all visitors and staff to wear medical masks, the release said.

HIP which was certified as ISO 45001: 2018 compliant for Occupational Health and Safety Management (OH&S) last year, has well-trained staff who are geared to handle emergency situations of this nature.

Standard health and safety policies were already in place to ensure a safe environment within the port and to encourage employees to take an interest in their own health and safety.

The port is implementing all measures to contain the epidemic in line with the standards and policies set out by the Ministry of Health and the WHO.

The requirements of the Ministry of Health that all the travellers/ crew of cruise ship who need to go ashore in Sri Lanka complete the Health Declaration Form individually and the Health Status Report of the Vessel ( within 12 - 24 hours of Berth or OPL operations) signed by the Master of the Vessel, are being strictly adhered to.

All tours of the port have also been temporarily halted, except for those that are especially authorised.