COVID-19: Testing and Protection

Shipowners and seafarers should be aware of the risks when deciding on testing and PPE requirements and exercise caution when purchasing.

Test kits

Some nations have had great success in controlling the spread of COVID-19 by carrying out extensive testing. Furthermore, the recently released European Commission’s “Guidelines on protection of health, repatriation and travel arrangements for seafarers, passengers and other persons on board ships” recommends to its Member States that seafarers should be tested before joining a vessel.

Add this to the strict vessel isolation or “quarantine” requirements imposed by many ports prior to berthing, it might be tempting to purchase a test kit for the vessel.  However, questions remain on the reliability and suitability of the test kits available.

There are two types of test. The Virus test (or swab test) checks for presence of the genetic signature coronavirus. This tells whether an individual currently has COVID-19. The antibody test looks for the body’s immune response to the virus and can tell an individual if they have been previously exposed.

Rapid test-kits based on the antibody test are becoming increasingly available. However, some governments are currently advising against their use. For example, Public Health England warn:

• There is little information on the accuracy of the tests
• There is little information on how a patient’s antibody response develops or changes during COVID-19 infection.
• It is not known whether either a positive or negative result is reliable
• There is no published evidence about the suitability of these tests for diagnosing COVID-19 infection in a community setting

There are also concerns that allowing testing kits to be available on the free market will divert resources desperately needed for testing healthcare workers and those patients requiring hospitalisation.

Clinics can provide virus tests, which in theory can produce a result within several hours. However, this is dependent on waiting times, so be aware that some in some cases, crew have waited a number of days before receiving their test result and during this time they must remain in isolation.

Personal Protective Equipment

It is quite likely that you already receive emails from companies offering deals on coronavirus PPE. The worldwide shortage of suitable PPE is clearly a potentially lucrative opportunity for some.

So, it is important to be aware that some sellers could be:

• Scammers – the buyer pays for the goods, but they never arrive
• Providing sub-standard equipment which offer inadequate protection

It is likely that we will see an increase in the wearing of face masks and disposable gloves as countries’ lockdown measures are loosened. In some countries it may be a formal recommendation. But as things stand, keeping your distance from others remains your best defence in not only protecting yourself from COVID-19 but also to reduce the risk of passing it on to others.

Wearing PPE does not mean you no longer have to practice social distancing. Keep your guard up.

COVID-19 Resources

Learn more at our dedicated expertise area here.