Port worker tests positive for COVID-19

Port officials found themselves on Wednesday balancing the needs of an import-dependent nation with the safety of its frontline staff after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

Barbados TODAY understands the infected worker operates from the Cube Blue administration building, which houses the accounts, human resources, marketing, and terminal operations departments.

Early Wednesday morning, news of the infection prompted scores of employees to walk off the job demanding clarity on the situation. The developments forced a meeting led by Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy Kirk Humphrey, port managers, union representatives, and senior public health officials.

When it was finished, the port announced in a statement that all of its employees would be tested starting with primary contacts of the infected individual, followed by persons with underlying medical conditions.

Sources at the port say Humphrey was among those tested by Dr Manohar Singh, the Medical Officer for the Ports of Entry.

Though the testing is scheduled to end on Thursday, the Cube Blue building will remain closed “until further notice” for additional sanitization, the Port said.

Management said: “At the same time, we recognize the Port’s role as an essential services organization and we intend to keep the Port functional while safeguarding the health of employees,” said a statement released on Wednesday evening.

“We will continue to rigorously follow all the guidelines and protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, as we work to ensure Barbados’ lifeline for the importation of food, medical supplies and nearly all of the island’s imports continues to flow.”

In an internal memo, management said the safety of workers was the “primary interest” and pledged to “rigorously follow all the guidelines and protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

“Following news of a spike in COVID-19 cases last week, we undertook extensive cleaning and sanitization of all Port facilities and equipment.

“We have continued rigorous sanitization of all Port facilities and sanitization in accordance with recommended guidelines ever since then, thus minimizing the risk of exposure to the virus. Nevertheless, further industrial cleaning will be undertaken at Cube Blue and all other areas, particularly where the affected individual was assigned.” (KS)