The Italian Port Association wishes to clarify that
operations in ports are carried out with adequate measures,” a letter from the
association, shared by BIMCO, reads.
“Ports are, therefore, fully operational with all their
regular services guaranteeing complete functionality of all those offices
dedicated to control and verification (i.e. Port Authority, Customs, Harbour
Master, Health department offices and so on).”
The association said that restrictions enforced by the
Italian Government are referred only to the cruise sector.
Namely, the Italian government has closed its ports to all
cruise vessels, both foreign and domestic ones, until April 3, 2020.
The Italian cruise ships that were already at sea would have
to return to port and subject their passengers and crews to a medical
examination before allowing them to disembark. Those not experiencing any
symptoms of the virus would nevertheless be advised to self-isolate for 14
days.
The association pointed out that the restrictive measures
adopted by the Italian government do not restrict the transport of cargo in the
country.
“The precautionary obligation of the so-called “Free
Sanitary Practice” issued by the Local Office of Maritime Health remains in
force. This document authorizes ships to berth, and all Italian ports are
equipped and ready to apply any new measures deemed necessary by the Italian
Office of Civil Defence, without compromising cargo operations,” the letter
reads.
According to the latest update from the Italian Civil
Protection, at the moment there are 46, 638 people who tested positive to the
virus, and there have been 59, 138 confirmed infection cases so far. Some 7,024
people have recovered from the infection, while 5,476 people died.