To prevent the spread of coronavirus, a total of five vessels – brought in for dismantling – have been quarantined for two weeks at the outer anchorage of Chittagong port.
After issuing an order to this effect on Monday, the Industries Ministry asked the five ships to remain in quarantine, in deep sea, from March 23 till April 6 and suspend all activities, including beaching.
The five ships are MV Cape Stefanie imported by SN Corporation, MV Stellar Rio by SN Corporation, MV Yu Hua by NR Ship Breaking Industries, MV Star Luck by KR Steel and MV Uso Lie imported by Asadi Steel Enterprise.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Nazmul Ahsan, assistant secretary of the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association (BSBRA), said that the ships had arrived at the outer anchorage over the past week.
“In order to check the spread of the viral disease, the government has prohibited importing all types of ships for dismantlement from March 23 till April 7. No NOC (No Objection Certificate) will be issued by the government in the meantime,” said Nazmul Ahsan.
The decision was taken by the Ministry of Industries, considering the safety of the 35 thousand officers, employees and workers working in the ship breaking and recycling industry area of Sitakunda, read a press release.
The ministry also sent a letter to the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association regarding Monday's decision.
To prevent the spread of Covid-19, the Ministry of Industries has directed the Bangladesh Ship Breakers and Recyclers Association to take necessary health measures, including raising awareness among officials, employees and workers working in the ship reprocessing industry area of Sitakunda.
The directives include restricting access to outsiders, entering the workplace after sanitizing hands and determining body temperature, avoiding work if someone has a cold or fever, washing hands frequently, not going anywhere other than office and home, not sitting together in the canteen or at any other place and to follow the instructions given by the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control And Research (IEDCR).