Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Intensifies Efforts to Block Domestic Entry of 'Wuhan Pneumonia' via Ports... All Ships Subject to 'Boarding Quarantine'

Incheon Port Cruise Terminal (archival photo)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The government announced on the 30th that it will conduct boarding quarantine for all vessels to block the domestic inflow of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) through ports.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has formed and is operating a crisis response task force at the ministry headquarters and each regional office to prevent the novel coronavirus from entering the country through ports since the national infectious disease crisis alert was raised to the 'Warning' level.

In the case of Korea-China international passenger ships, 14 companies operate 17 vessels on 16 routes, transporting about 2 million passengers annually as of last year. Currently, all Korea-China international passenger ships were suspended (January 25-27) due to the Chinese Lunar New Year, but operations partially resumed starting January 28 with the arrival of the Oriental Pearl 8 (China Yingcheng-Pyeongtaek, passenger capacity 1,500) at Pyeongtaek Port.

Accordingly, to prevent the novel coronavirus from entering the country through Korea-China international passenger ship routes, temperature checks are conducted on passengers and crew onboard before boarding and during the voyage, considering the long sailing times before entering domestic ports. In addition, suspected infectious disease patients are reported to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. If suspected symptoms such as fever and cough occur onboard during the voyage, isolation spaces are secured onboard to block infection transmission.

Furthermore, during the 'boarding quarantine' conducted by the National Quarantine Station, passenger ship company staff actively support interpretation and the prior completion of 'Health Status Questionnaires.' Masks and hand sanitizers are provided onboard for passengers, and crew members and shore staff who come into contact with passengers are also required to wear masks.

For multi-use facilities such as international passenger terminals, hand sanitizers and other quarantine supplies, as well as brochures on measures to take when fever or respiratory symptoms occur, are provided to enable prompt response. Workers at multi-use facilities are required to wear masks while on duty.

In addition, for Chinese port-calling cargo ships entering domestic ports (about 23,000 vessels as of last year), the National Quarantine Station and related agencies share arrival information and conduct boarding quarantine for all vessels that have called at Chinese ports. When crew members disembark or temporarily land using land terminals or contact vessels upon arrival of ships that have called at China, entry records are strictly managed, and quarantine agencies (CIQ) cooperate to ensure no quarantine measures are missed. Workers in ports responsible for pilotage, tug services, and cargo handling for ships that have called at China will also be strictly managed.

Since the resumption of Korea-China international passenger ship operations on the 28th, the number of passengers has sharply declined due to cancellations by group and individual travelers amid the spread of the novel coronavirus. In response, shipping companies are preparing to operate mainly cargo services and adjust sailing schedules. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to review various support measures for shipping companies facing operational difficulties due to the decrease in passengers.

Meanwhile, Moon Sung-hyuk, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, plans to visit the Incheon Port International Passenger Terminal on the afternoon of the 31st to inspect quarantine measures against the novel coronavirus infection.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.