Pilots are required to board vessels of this size when berthing. The pilot wore appropriate PPE and was fully vaccinated. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said the pilot had been in contact with three crew members, but as the three returned negative results, he was no longer considered a close contact and no longer needed to self-isolate. A spokesperson said eight of the nine crew members who tested positive were showing symptoms of Covid-19, but they were well enough to remain on the ship. “Health officials will be closely monitoring the health and welfare of all crew members each on a daily basis as further decisions are made,” the spokesperson said.
Covid-19: Union calls for mandatory testing after container ship crew members test positive
stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Covid-19: Union calls for mandatory testing after container ship crew test positive
stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Officials were also investigating a port worker who guided the vessel into port on Sunday night had any contact with crew members, a ministry spokesperson said. South Port acting chief executive Geoff Finnerty said a harbour pilot who boarded the ship was fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and wearing full PPE-gear. The worker was also encouraged to maintain physical distancing and limit interaction with the crew, Finnerty said.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON/STUFF
The Playa Zahara, a fishing vessel carrying crew members with Covid-19, docks at Lyttelton Port on Sunday morning. Port management was informed by Public Health South on Friday that crew members aboard a ship scheduled to dock in Bluff were showing flu-like symptoms, Finnerty said.