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Frontline port workers get virus info

by Barbados Today
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Frontline and other workers at the Port of Bridgetown were this morning brought up to speed on the effort to keep the COVID-19 coronavirus at bay.

The session, organised by Barbados Port Inc., was attended by port employees, Immigration and Customs and Excise officers, tenants and staff of Bridgetown Cruise Terminals Inc. and representatives of taxi associations, tour operators and ship agents.

BPI Chairman Senator Lisa Cummins who said the session, which allowed workers to air their concerns, was critical in ensuring that frontline workers are comfortable and can protect themselves.

She said: “Some days we have up to one ship, five ships, we have hundreds of thousands of visitors that pass through here from all over the world and we needed to ensure that in collaboration with our labour partners and our private sector partners that we share the fact-based information on COVID-19.”

BWU General Secretary Senator Toni Moore (left) and Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Best.

Medical officials including Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Best and Dr Karen Broome, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health & Wellness, assured port workers of the measures being taken to keep Barbados safe. They stressed that the focus is on both the prevention and containment of the spread of the virus, should any cases reach the island.

The medical team noted that screening at all ports of entry, as well as testing for the virus is being undertaken by trained professionals. All procedures are under constant evaluation as the situation continues to evolve globally, the added.

BWU General Secretary Senator Toni Moore said the labour movement was fully on board with the initiative given the critical role performed by frontline workers.

“We have asked the Ministry of Health to conduct sensitisations such as this one. We have offered our facilities to them, the National Union of Public Workers has done the same because we recognize that it will not be practicable to go to very work place,” said Sen. Moore.

The officials advised port workers to stay informed by seeking out credible sources of information and facts on COVID-19 such as those issued via the Government Information Service and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

They were reminded of the need to practice good hygiene, particularly regular handwashing and were advised on the use of Personal Protective Equipment as part of preventative measures.

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