CONFLICTING information has been received in regards to screening for COVID-19 on board vessels entering Fiji ports.
An English couple who arrived on the MV Norwegian Jewel on Sunday at Lautoka claimed there was no screening done by local health authorities.
However, a Fiji Ports Corporation Ltd (FPCL) representative said there were “protocols in place”.
Ministry of Health and Medical Services head of health protection Dr Aalisha Sahukhan said people who did not develop symptoms could not be tested for the coronavirus.
English tourists Peter Watson and Valerie Hetherington said while there was no physical screening, they felt the constant personal hygiene reminders carried out on board by the ship’s crew was enough for them.
“We will be here for two days and we have enjoyed the trip so far,” Mr Watson said.
“Ship officials have always emphasised on handwashing and keeping clean during the cruise.
“They keep emphasising basic health tips to us and the announcement was always made on board every time we go and have food.”
FPCL marketing and communications officer Ashika Chand said tests are done on all passengers before a ship is allowed to berth.
“FPCL’s pilot station is notified well in advance if there is any sign of sickness on board,” she said.
“MOH (Health Ministry) staff boards the cruise vessel and screens all the passengers with infrared thermometer which reads the body temperature from a distance.
“Port of arrival is after the clearance is given from the pilot station out at the anchorage.”
Ms Chand said FPCL continued to work closely with the Health Ministry in ensuring health measures in place were strictly followed.
She said they also continued to work closely with agents who brought the cruise liners to Fiji.
“This screening is done out in the pilot station at the anchorage.
MOH boards the cruise vessel and screens the passengers prior to berthing approval being given.”
Dr Sahukhan said people could not be tested for the coronavirus if they did not develop symptoms.
If you test someone with no symptoms, you get a negative result, you cannot rely on that,” she said.
“We cannot use the test just to screen everybody because we can’t afford to rely on a negative result.”
Last month, a Hungarian passenger who came aboard the cruise liner Voyager of the Seas also claimed there were no coronavirus screening conducted for passengers when they disembarked at the Kings Wharf in Suva.
In response, Dr Sahukhan had said the ministry had an established process for vessels that came in, particularly the cruise ships.
She said passengers aboard the ship were checked by the ministry’s health team at its first port of entry in Lautoka, which was why they were not checked again in Suva.
