Before any vessel docks in Namibia it will have to provide background documentation to the
Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) about the last port of call, the number of passengers and the general conditions on board.
According to Immanuel !Hanabeb, executive: commercial of the Namibian Ports Authority, a
“free pratique” will be issued by MoHSS if the vessel is deemed to be free of any contagious diseases.
Upon receipt of the “free pratique”, the vessel will be allowed to dock alongside the quay at Namport.
However, there will be additional strict screening measures to ensure the health and safety of passengers, crew on-board before disembarking the vessel.
Any passenger suspected to be infected with the virus will be isolated on board, and if need be, evacuated as per Port Health (mandated by the Ministry of Health and Social Services) procedures.
The vessel will in this case also be quarantined.
If any crew member presents a temperature of more than 38 degrees C and possible history of exposure, he/ she will be isolated in the hospital room on board of the ship.
Any ship that calls to dock at either Walvis Bay or Lüderitz Bay and reports in advance that there is a sick crew member on board will be treated as Covid-19 suspect.
The vessel will be placed under quarantine outside port limits, and a yellow flag will be hoisted, according to !Hanabeb.