The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) on Wednesday announced health safety measures it said it had instituted at the port in the wake of the Corona Virus outbreak in China and some countries across the world.
The measures are targeted at vessels arriving at the Mombasa port from ports in China, as well as crew and passengers who traveled to mainland China within the period of the virus outbreak.
Among the measures include a requirement that all vessels arriving from mainland China fill the maritime declaration of health form stating the health status of the crew.
“In addition, they should send in advance or not less than 24hrs before arrival, the crew list and voyage memo for the purpose of getting details of the crew and movement of the vessel for the last 14 days,” William K. Ruto, KPA’s harbormaster, said in a statement.
“Any vessel with crew showing signs and symptoms including respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing, should report in advance so as to make prior arrangements to board the vessel for screening at high seas before the vessel is allowed entry into the port.”
So far death toll from the virus has hit 1,100 globally but the World Health Organisation has confirmed a drop in the rate of infection.
No case has been reported in Africa so far.
Last week president Uhuru Kenyatta, while on a trip to the US, urged Ethiopia to stop its flights to China, a move he said would reduce the risk of the virus being transported to the region.
Kenya Airways stopped flying to parts of China earlier shortly after the Corona Virus outbreak was announced.
