NASPA port officers’ benefit from session on Coronavirus

By: Pamela Diaz (Marketing & Information Manager Nevis Air & Sea Ports Authority Long Point)

NASPA Long Point Nevis (January 27^th, 2019) – Port officers of the Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority and other port agents, earlier today, Monday January 27^th, 2020 participated in an informative session geared at sensitising the air and seaport officers about the novel Coronavirus (2019 nCoV).

The session was hosted by the Ministry of Health in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), through their Health Promotion Unit (HPU) and was facilitated by Dr. Judy Nisbett, Medical Officer of Health in the Ministry of Health on Nevis.

Nisbet used the session as a method of explaining how the virus originated, the travel pattern for the virus and suggested strategies and tactics to be taken by the port officers.

Among the strategies and necessary measures mentioned by the facilitators were ensuring that travelers fill out the customs and immigration form regarding their travel history as well as ensuring that the officers tending to travelers at the various ports also conduct brief and thorough questioning regarding their travel history.

Also present at the session was the General Manager of the NASPA, who highlighted its significance to the port and their agents.

“When we got the invitation to attend the Coronavirus (2019 nCoV) session, we welcomed the idea from the Ministry of Health because we believe in informing and educating our port employees and agents so that we can serve you better.

“The first point of contact for anyone visiting our island, or any country is always at the air or the seaports where they meet aircraft agents, our immigration, customs, security and other port agents. So, it is important for all of us to know about the virus and understand how to protect ourselves and the general public from becoming infected or seriously ill,” he said.

Mr. Brandy used the opportunity to thank the Ministry for hosting the session and commended them on taking the initiative to inform NASPA and other agencies about the virus. 

“While the probability for the virus to come to our shores is not known, we do know for sure that it is possible, and prevention is better than cure. We at NASPA believe in proactive measures and not reactive decisions. We are indeed grateful to the health department and commend them for their continued alertness and initiatives,” he said.

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