This section contains useful links, information and recommendations for combating the spread of COVID-19.
Information about Coronavirus, published on the website of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bulgaria and Recommendations for persons travelling to areas and countries with registered cases of COVID-19
European Commission’s Directorate General for Mobility and Transport provided Advice for ship operators for preparedness and response to the outbreak of COVID-19.
It is recommended to keep track of updated information about the spread of COVID-19 in EU/EEA and the UK at the following address: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/cases-2019-ncov-eueea.
How does COVID-19 spread?
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 metre away from a person who is sick.
The “incubation period” means the time between catching the virus and beginning to have symptoms of the disease. Most estimates of the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1-14 days, most commonly around five days.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.
You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some precautions:
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with alcohol-based disinfectants or wash them with soap and water.
Maintain at least 1 meter distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Ensure that you and those around you practice good respiratory hygiene.
Stay home if you feel unwell.
Stay informed about the latest hotspots of infection (cities or areas where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly). If possible, avoid traveling—especially if you are elderly or suffer from diabetes, heart, or lung diseases.
- For people working at the ports:
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Wearing a face mask is not required for healthy people. You have to wear a medical mask if you are in contact with a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection or if you are coughing or sneezing. Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water;
Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning with alcohol-based disinfectants or soap and water;
Recommended measures to limit the spread of COVID-19:
- Intensive cleaning of work premises and common areas with appropriate disinfectants;
- Restrict access to the port terminal—entry/permission is granted only when necessary;
- Temperature measurement of external visitors entering the terminal area, as well as providing measures in case of elevated values (isolation in a separate room and contacting medical/health services as soon as possible);
- Provide disinfectants for offices, enclosed spaces, vending/coffee machines;
- Provide disposable disinfectant wipes individually for workers to clean their workspaces;
- Workers whose workplace is exposed to frequent external physical contacts (loading and unloading activities; gates, receptions, etc.) should be provided with individual protective equipment—masks, gloves, disinfectants;
- Limit physical contact with other individuals as much as possible;
- Identity documents are presented without physical handover;
- Communication and document exchange should be conducted by phone or other electronic means, and when this is not possible—a designated place/desk should be established, maintaining the distance specified below;
- The following distance from other individuals must be strictly observed:
- In open spaces (outdoors): at least 1m and preferably 2m;
- In enclosed spaces: preferably 2m;
- Under other circumstances, at least 1m, while ensuring safety for port operations.
It is recommended that individuals exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19, especially fever/cough, should not be allowed to work and should immediately undergo a medical examination.
- For ship crews/passengers on cruise ships:
Frequent hand washing (using soap and water); use of antiseptic;
Use of medical masks and respirators;
Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.
A probable case is:
A. a patient with severe acute respiratory infection (i.e., fever and cough requiring hospitalization) AND without any other reason fully explaining their condition AND who has a history of travel or residence in China or another country with established transmission of COVID-19 within 14 days before the onset of symptoms;
OR
B. a patient with any acute respiratory illness AND for whom at least one of the following occurred during the 14 days before symptom onset: (a) contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 or (b) working in or visiting a healthcare facility where patients with confirmed or probable COVID-19 are treated.
The suspected case should be immediately instructed to wear a medical mask, protect themselves during coughing fits, and take hand hygiene measures. The suspected case should be isolated in a pre-designated isolation ward, cabin, room, or space, which must be enclosed. Infection control measures should be applied in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines.
The transfer of the suspected case to a land vehicle for transportation to a healthcare facility for further evaluation and laboratory testing should be organized as soon as possible in cooperation with the port health authorities.
All individuals who come into contact with the probable case should apply measures to prevent the risk of spread, as described above.
All individuals on board should be assessed as potential carriers and classified as close contacts (high-risk exposure) or casual contacts (low-risk).
Detailed information is available in Operational actions for managing COVID-19 on board ships, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and in circular letters with measures and recommendations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Guidelines for Protection Against the Spread of COVID-19
World Health Organization Guidelines for Managing COVID-19 Cases on Board Ships