Dear readers,
Europe and the rest of the world are facing difficult and challenging situations in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Europe as per the latest ECDC situation report on 18th March, 70 989 cases and 3 309 deaths have been reported in the EU/EEA and the UK.
All countries are implementing public health measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic according to available guidance from WHO and ECDC.
We fully appreciate that all of you are extremely busy and working hard so we will not take much of your time with this newsletter, which has the aim to present mainly COVID-19 activities of the joint action.
As a joint action, we stand with public health authorities at the PoE in the EU by providing advice, training and any other support they request. You can read more about our support in the “News from the Consortium” section. In the “What is new on the website” and the “Recent publications” sections we provide links to resource information and advice in the context of COVID-19.
Stay safe!
Enjoy the reading!
Enjoy the reading!
Dr. Mauro Dionisio, MD, M.P.H.
Ministry of Health
Directorate General for Health Prevention
Chief, Office 3 –Coordination of Port, Airport and Border Health Offices
IHR Contact Point.
Sailors and air crew health care services – Coordination office.
Prof. Christos Hadjichristodoulou
EU HEALTHY GATEWAYS Joint Action Coordinator, Professor of Hygiene and Epidemiology,
Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University of Thessaly, Greece
This is a busy period for all stakeholders at the Points of Entry worldwide including for both public officials and conveyance operators working in the field of preparedness and response. Public health officials in Europe are following closely the situation; they are putting in operation their contingency plans; they are implementing health measures and are being alerted to respond and manage possible cases of COVID-19 disease.
EU HEALTHY GATEWAYS joint action could not be any different and is working intensively to support all relevant parties during this Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The joint action, having in its mandate to operate in two modes, has switched from operating under the inter-epidemic mode to operating in an emergency mode, with the agreement of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE). As stated in the Grant Agreement, the objective of the emergency mode is to support coherent response of EUMS according to Decision No 1082/2013/EU and the implementation of temporary recommendations issued by the WHO. Under this emergency mode, EU HEALTHY GATEWAYS is available to respond to any specific requests from DG SANTE or EU MS to provide technical support, advice or ad-hoc training at points of entry as needed.
The joint action coordinator and steering committee members are working in close collaboration with DG SANTE, ECDC, WHO and representatives from the transport sector and providing their support as needed.
In particular the joint action has to date provided its support via the following activities:
- Development of interim advice for preparedness and response to cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection at points of entry in EU/EEA Member States
At the request of DG SANTE, Interim advice for preparedness and response to cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection at points of entry in EU/EEA Member States was prepared by an ad-hoc working group comprised of members from the EU HEALTHY GATEWAYS consortium. The interim advice documents listed below have been published on the EU HEALTHY GATEWAYS website at the following link: https://www.healthygateways.eu/Novel-coronavirus
- Public health measures at points of entry (VERSION 2 - 03/02/2020)
- Exit and entry screening at points of entry (VERSION 1 - 06/02/2020)
- Advice for aircraft operators for preparedness and response to the outbreak of 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease (VERSION 2 - 03/02/2020) (Available in English and Romanian)
- Advice for ship operators for preparedness and response to the outbreak of 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease (VERSION 2 - 03/02/2020) (Available in English, Chinese and Polish)
- Preliminary advice for preparedness and response to cases of COVID-19 at ground crossings (buses and bus stations) in the European Union (EU)/ European Economic Area (EEA) Member States (MS) (VERSION 1 – 4/3/2020) (Available in English and Greek)
- Preliminary advice for preparedness and response to cases of COVID-19 at ground crossings (trains and rail stations) in the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) Member States (MS) (VERSION 1 – 4/3/2020)
- WHO, WHERE, HOW - Overview of personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for staff at points of entry and crew on board conveyances in the context of COVID-19 (VERSION 2 – 7/3/2020)(Available in English and Greek)
- Q&A
Upon a request from Romania we have translated in Romanian the “Advice for aircraft operators for preparedness and response to the outbreak of 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease”.
- Passenger Locator Forms for points of entry in different languages
The joint action has gathered Passenger Locator Forms (for aircrafts) in different languages from the joint action consortium, as well as those posted in the CAPSCA website. The PLF in different languages can be downloaded from here.
The joint action has also developed Passenger Locator Forms for ships (download here) and trains (download here).
- Training synchronous and asynchronous
The joint action is providing access to all interested stakeholders to the training materials from past face to face courses conducted:
- Training of the trainers’ course “Preparedness and response to public health events at airports” (EU HEALTHY GATEWAYS 2019);
- Training of the trainers’ course “Preparedness and response to public health events at ports” (EU HEALTHY GATEWAYS 2019);
- Evidence-based best practices on entry/exit screening for infectious diseases in humans (DG SANTE 2019).
In addition to the past training courses, the joint action is organising ad-hoc live webinars relevant to the topic of COVID-19 disease.
Visit the web portal by clicking on the link below: www.healthygateways.eu
https://www.healthygateways.eu/Novel-coronavirus
- Preliminary advice for preparedness and response to cases of COVID-19 at ground crossings (buses and bus stations) in the European Union (EU)/ European Economic Area (EEA) Member States (MS) (VERSION 1 – 4/3/2020)
- Preliminary advice for preparedness and response to cases of COVID-19 at ground crossings (trains and rail stations) in the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) Member States (MS) (VERSION 1 – 4/3/2020)
- WHO, WHERE, HOW - Overview of personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for staff at points of entry and crew on board conveyances in the context of COVID-19
- Q&A
Follow us on Social Media of the joint action
Interim advice for preparedness and response to cases of the 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease at points of entry in the European Union (EU)/EEA Member States (MS)
- Preliminary advice for preparedness and response to cases of COVID-19 at ground crossings (buses and bus stations) in the European Union (EU)/ European Economic Area (EEA) Member States (MS) (VERSION 1 – 4/3/2020)
- Preliminary advice for preparedness and response to cases of COVID-19 at ground crossings (trains and rail stations) in the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) Member States (MS)(VERSION 1 – 4/3/2020)
- WHO, WHERE, HOW - Overview of personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for staff at points of entry and crew on board conveyances in the context of COVID-19
- Q&A
GUIDANCE for COVID-19 from WHO, ECDC, US CDC, EASA, UIC
https://www.healthygateways.eu/Novel-coronavirus
Interviews given by the joint action coordinator
European Commission. COVID-19 Guidelines for border management measures to protect health and ensure the availability of goods and essential services. 16.03.2020
https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-migration/20200316_covid-19-guidelines-for-border-management.pdf
International union of railways (UIC). Management of COVID-19 - Guidance for railway stakeholders. 13 March 2020.
https://uic.org/news/article/covid-19
Past events of the joint action
National training event in Greece
Title: Public Health Measures at Points of Entry and on conveyances (ships, aircrafts)
When: 27 February 2020 Where: Piraeus, Greece
The Hellenic Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Organization in collaboration with the European joint action EU HEALTHY GATEWAYS organised a one day training event on Thursday 27 February 2020 on board the Celestyal Olympia Cruise Ship docked at the port of Piraeus.
The purpose of the training course was to inform participants on the latest guidance available for preparedness and response to cases of COVID-19 at points of entry published by WHO, ECDC and the joint action.
Participants had the opportunity to be informed of the following:
- latest epidemiological information about SARS-COV-2 virus,
- provisions for points of entry of the International Health Regulation,
- guidance for entry and exist screening at points of entry,
- guidance for responding to a suspect case of COVID-19 on board ships and airports
- use of personal protecting equipment recommended for staff at points of entry and crew on board conveyances in the context of COVID-19
- conducting focused inspections in the event of an outbreak
Two case studies were completed one focusing on detecting and responding to an event on board an airplane and another on board passengers ships. Moreover, practical demonstration on the usage of PPE and practice from participants was conducted.
A total of 75 participants from Greece and Cyprus participated in the event.
Participants included
- 21 representatives from public health authorities at ports and airports in Greece and Cyprus
- 16 representatives from the cruise and ferry industry
- 11 participants from the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Organisation
- 8 representatives from the Piraeus Port Authority
- 7participants from the Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology representing the EU HEALTHY GATEWAYS joint action.
- 3 representatives from National Emergency Center (EKAV)
- 2 representatives from the Civil Aviation Authority
- 2 representatives from the Ministry of mercantile marine and Hellenic Coastguard
- 2 representatives from theCenter for Security Studies (National Contact Point for European Critical infrastructures (ECIs))
- 2 representatives from the U.S. Embassy
- 1 representative from FRAPORT CREECE
The evaluation showed a high level of satisfaction with the training materials and methods used and 95% of participants would recommend the course to others. Almost all participants reported a very significant or a significant increase of their knowledge (94%) and skills (86%) on the topic due to the training course.
EU HEALTHY GATEWAYS joint action Emergency Mode
Webinars
The EU HEALTHY GATEWAYS is delivering a series of webinars that will focus in the preparedness and response to COVID-19 at points of entry in European Union (EU)/EEA Member States (MS).
The webinars are targeted to public health officers at local and central level in EU Member States responsible for preparedness and response at Points of Entry.
Webinar 1: Health measures at points of entry to decrease the possibility of importation of Coronavirus cases (2019-nCoV) in EU Member States
The live webinar was broadcasted on Wednesday 5th February 2020, 14:00 CET.
A total of 186 participants from 26 European countries and 5 non-EU countries registered to watch the live or recorded webinar out of which 77 watched the live webinar. A total of 9 presenters and 2 moderators participated in the webinar.
To date (13/3/2020) the total webinar views of this webinar is 150
The topics covered are presented below:
- Prepardness and response at EU level
- WHO Information related to 2019 nCoV
- European Information related to 2019 nCoV
- Response to an event of a suspect case of 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease on board aircrafts and ships
- Lessons from practice
Webinar 2: Risk communication at PoE in times of crises
The live webinar was broadcasted on Thursday20thFebruary 2020, 14:00 CET.
A total of 158 participants from 26 European countries and 6 non-EU countries registered to watch the live or recorded webinar out of which 56 watched the live webinar. A total of 6 presenters and 2 moderators participated in the webinar.
To date (13/3/2020) the total webinar views of this webinar is 95
The topics covered are presented below:
- Risk perception and communication theory
- Risk communication from a public health perspective
- Experience from practice
OTHER EVENTS
Training courses for the shipping industry in 2020
The European Scientific Association for Health and Hygiene in Maritime Transport - EU SHIPSAN is announcing the upcoming on-line live streaming training course for the shipping industry.
Title: Health and hygiene management training course for the shipping industry
Dates: 11-15 May 2020
Purpose:This course is designed to assist you in developing and implementing health and hygiene management plans in accordance with the European standards and will provide examples of up-to-date, good practices.
Who should attend?
- Managers with duties related to health and hygiene
- Ship officers working at a supervisory level
- In-house or contracted trainers responsible to deliver health and hygiene training to crew members
Course methodology: The course will run over a 5-day period (total duration: 20 hours) during which you will complete three sessions including:
- pre-recorded lectures and assignments to be completed at your own pace (asynchronous sessions) and
- 3 live online Q&A sessions (duration: 90 minutes each) that will be scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday to review the assignment results, answer questions and discuss with the course instructors.
Registration: To register click here- Registration deadline: 1st May 2020
For further information see the attached syllabus or visit the EU SHIPSAN Association website (click here)
Answer to Issue 8 quiz
According to IMO International Code of Signals, 2005 What is the meaning of these nautical flags?
A) Signal flag "Lima", also called the "Yellow Jack" when flown , now means "ship is under quarantine". The flag is flown from a ship that is either arriving in port with known serious health problems or that has been placed under quarantine by the local port authorities.
B) The plain yellow flag ("Quebec" or Q in international maritime signal flags), perhaps derives its letter symbol for its initial use in quarantine, but this flag in modern times indicates the opposite—a ship that declares itself free of quarantinable disease, and requests boarding and inspection by Port State Control to allow the grant of "free pratique".
C) The Signal Flag “W or Whiskey” indicates an urgent request of medical advice. The Medical Signal Code was incorporated in the International Code of Signals since 1930.
REFERENCE
International Code of Signals, 2005 ed. (IMO IA994E), IMO – International Maritime Organization, 2005, ISBN 978-92-801-4198-6
Congratulations to Rocio PallaresCapela from Area de Sanidad, Sanidad Exterior, Sevilla, Spain for sending the correct answer