COVID-19 Maritime Industry Update 88 - 30 August 2021 This update is for the maritime industry and port supply chain
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COVID-19 Maritime Industry Update 88 30 August 2021 This update is for the maritime industry and port supply chain COVID-19 Maritime industry update 88 Page 1 of 10
COVID-19 Maritime
Industry Update 88
Last updated: 30 August 2021
This document is uncontrolled if printed. Please refer to the Maritime New Zealand website for the latest version.
In this guide
1. COVID-19 alert Levels 4 and 3 3
- Stevedores can continue to work
- Updated PPE guidance
- Face coverings
- Your welfare
2. Prioritisation of test results for essential workers in Auckland 4
3. Cross boundary travel 5
4. COVID-19 positive vessels – joint approach to readiness
and cleaning 6
5. Vaccination update 7
6. Seafarers with expired or expiring certificates 8
7. Answering your questions 9
8. Key sources of information 10
COVID-19 Maritime industry update 88 Page 2 of 101. COVID-19 alert levels 4 and 3 Thank you to everyone in the maritime system for working so diligently to observe the changes moving to Alert Level 4 meant for us all. There has been a lot to work through and it is clear that the whole sector is committed to getting the response right as we move to Alert Level 3 south of Auckland from Wednesday 1 September. It pays for all of us to hold onto the practices and knowledge in place should we need to move again. Below is a list of Alert Level 4 topics we have worked on over the last 2 weeks and if there is something else you would like to see covered, contact us on MNZCovid-19@maritimenz.govt.nz. Stevedores can continue to work We received an inquiry when the lockdown was announced asking whether stevedores can continue to work. We confirmed at the time that stevedoring companies can continue operating at all ports, across all types of cargo, including bulk, freight and general, as well as containers. Stevedores will need a letter from their employer in order to travel between ports. It will need to outline the purpose of travel and the destination and that the holder is providing an Alert Level 4 service. Updated PPE guidance In the week of the lockdown, Maritime NZ published updated PPE guidance for workers boarding affected vessels at the maritime border, and for pilotage on international vessels. This guidance can be found on our website. We understand there is still a bit to work through to ensure the balance of protections between safeguarding the health of workers and the public are realistic and workable. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback and committed their time to getting PPE settings on ports right. Face coverings We were asked whether port workers were generally required to wear a face covering when on the port. Port workers are not generally required to wear face coverings however they are required to wear PPE when performing specified tasks on ships under the Maritime Border Order, or if they are working in/around ferry terminals under the Alert Level 4 order. However, in line with Ministry of Health advice, wearing a face covering along with the other public health measures such as physical distancing, frequent hand washing and staying home when sick, is strongly encouraged. We encourage you to wear a face covering and keep 2 metres distance from others when outside of your home whether it be on your way to work or accessing an essential service. Your welfare There has been a big focus on mental health and personal wellbeing since the country went into lockdown and it is clear that many people need increased support to help them get through. We have attached a guide produced by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to help support your own mental wellbeing, and that of others around you during this time. Please take the time to read through it and if you need more information visit MoH’s page devoted to supporting your mental health and wellbeing. COVID-19 Maritime industry update 88 Page 3 of 10
2. Prioritisation of test results for essential
workers in Auckland
Essential workers need to be moved through the COVID-19 testing system as quickly as
possible.
If you are deemed to be an essential worker and need to be tested, you can call Healthline on 0800 358
5453 and say you are an essential worker who needs to be tested. Healthline staff will then direct you to
one of the testing sites across Auckland for essential workers. Results from these sites will be prioritised.
COVID-19 Maritime industry update 88 Page 4 of 103. Cross boundary travel If you are carrying out a permitted activity, please carry your Business Travel Documents (BTDs) that clearly indicate that you are authorised to carry out the activity. If you are not carrying out a permitted activity you will need to see if you are eligible for an exemption. Please visit the Business Connect page which includes information on what your BTDs should contain, or the “Business travel to cross an Alert Level 4 and 3 boundary”, page for more information. COVID-19 Maritime industry update 88 Page 5 of 10
4. COVID-19 positive vessels – joint
approach to readiness and cleaning
As you know over the last month we’ve seen a number of vessels with positive cases on
board appear in New Zealand waters. We are keen to see some shared readiness planning
for future responses, and have issued a request to all ports to provide their contingency
plans for the arrival of a ship with positive cases.
We will feed this back into the All of Government readiness and response planning to enable a measured
and assured approach to managing COVID-19 positive vessels.
One of the processes we would like to share when a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 has been
on a vessel, is the approach to deep cleaning. Each part of the ship (excluding the deck), should be
viewed as an individual room or area. High touch points, surfaces and objects need to be deep cleaned
however outside areas will not need to be deep cleaned given their exposure to the natural elements.
The two links below provide advice on cleaning and disinfection and the order in which cleaning needs to
be undertaken:
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-
information-specific-audiences/covid-19-general-cleaning-and-disinfection-advice/cleaning-following-
confirmed-or-probable-case-covid-19
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-
information-specific-audiences/covid-19-general-cleaning-and-disinfection-advice/covid-19-cleaning-
frequently-asked-questions
The Maritime Industry Update is issued fortnightly, usually in the first half of the week.
However, publication days might change when there is a need to provide a quick update.
If you have any questions about updates, or suggestions for what you would like included,
please contact Maritime NZ by emailing MNZCovid-19@maritimenz.govt.nz.
COVID-19 Maritime industry update 88 Page 6 of 105. Vaccination update
With the Delta variant now in the community, the country is seeing a huge rise in the
numbers getting vaccinated. The number of non-vaccinated port workers now stands at a
little over 600 and is getting lower every day.
A key milestone was reached last week on Thursday 26 August, where government workers were
required to have had their first dose of the vaccination. The Vaccination Order for privately employed
workers came into force on July 15, making it mandatory for privately employed border workers to have
received their first dose by 30 September with second doses administered no later than 35 days after
the first. Any new employees hired after these dates must have had at least their first dose before
commencing employment.
One of the groups that’s been targeted for higher vaccination rates are contractors, who work at the port
and may need to go on to a ship to perform work or a service. Under the updated Vaccination Order any
contractor who needs to go on to a ship will need to have had their first vaccine shot by 30 September
and their second by 4 November.
PCBUs can apply for an exemption for border workers who are not vaccinated where removing the
worker from the role they work in, could result in significant disruption to the supply chain. Please refer to
COVID-19 vaccination: Exemptions for significant supply chain disruption and the application form which
PCBUs will need to complete and return to Covid19vaccine@transport.govt.nz.
If you want to find out more about how the vaccine works the resources below are a good starting point.
COVID-19 vaccine - Your questions answered.pdf
COVID-19 vaccine - Your safety and side effects questions answered.pdf
To book your vaccine either call Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 or use the online portal Book My Vaccine |
Ministry of Health NZ (covid19.health.nz) Remember to say you are in Group 1 as this will ensure you get
the earliest possible booking.
COVID-19 Maritime industry update 88 Page 7 of 106. Seafarers with expired or expiring
certificates
Due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 a number of seafarers have been experiencing
difficulties in being able to renew their certificates of medical fitness or STCW ancillary
certificates.
Maritime NZ is very aware of these issues and would like to bring to your attention that there is a process
for seafarers to apply for a short term exemption from the requirement to hold a valid certificate. An
exemption of this type would enable a seafarer to continue to work until they are able to renew their
certificates.
There is no cost for applications of this type, where the need is clearly due to the impact of COVID-
19. The process for applying for this type of exemption can be found in the link below. Employers,
please also note you can make a single bulk application request for all of your affected
employee(s).
Please visit this link to find out how to make an application.
While this process is particularly relevant during the current alert level four lockdown, this exemption
process can be used anytime you have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
COVID-19 Maritime industry update 88 Page 8 of 107. Answering your questions There are a huge number of stakeholders in the maritime industry and ports’ supply chain, and all of you are affected in different ways by COVID-19 and New Zealand’s response to it. If you have questions you would like answered, please email MNZCovid-19@maritimenz.govt.nz by 5pm, Friday each week. COVID-19 Maritime industry update 88 Page 9 of 10
8. Key sources of information
The following links provide you with key sources of information.
For all your questions, and to provide information MNZCovid-19@maritimenz.govt.nz
and make suggestions – email Maritime NZ
Port and maritime guidelines and other www.maritimenz.govt.nz – click on the COVID-19
information banner on the home page
Official health advice, including testing – Ministry www.health.govt.nz/
of Health
Up-to-date information across the transport www.transport.govt.nz/about/covid-19/
sector (land, sea and air) – Ministry of Transport
All New Zealand COVID-19 legislation www.pco.govt.nz/covid-19-legislation/
New Zealand’s campaign to stamp out COVID- www.covid19.govt.nz
19
Information for businesses operating under alert www.business.govt.nz/covid-19/operating-at-
levels alert-levels/
Wage Subsidy Scheme information www.workandincome.govt.nz/covid-
19/resurgence-wage-subsidy/index.html
Managed Isolation and Quarantine www.miq.govt.nz/
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