Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) has announced it is monitoring Queensland ports to prevent the entry of novel coronavirus on visiting foreign vessels.
General Manager of MSQ, Angus Mitchell said the Agency was committed to keeping the ports open while staying in close contact with inbound foreign vessels to monitor them for signs of crew members potentially affected by the virus.
“MSQ is leading the way to protect our ports, the people who work there and all Queenslanders from the potential spread of this virus,” Mr Mitchell said.
He said under that under crackdown, ships that had left or transited through mainland China on or after 1 February must not enter a Queensland pilotage area until 14 days had elapsed since departure from mainland China.
“I have issued this directive in the interests of public health,” Mr Mitchell said.
“MSQ is doing this while ensuring daily port operations, from coal exports to cruise ship movements, are not impacted by border control measures designed to stop any potential spread of this virus,” he said.
“It is vital to the Queensland economy that our ports remain fully operational.”
He said about 240 vessels had entered Queensland ports and Reef Vessel Traffic Services since border restrictions were enacted on 1 February.
“We remain in daily contact with the extended Queensland maritime industry to update them on all measures currently in place and will continue to do so into the future,” Mr Mitchell said.
“The public can have every confidence Queensland ports, being just one entry point to our state and country, are being closely monitored,” he said.
