DeepOcean has become one of the first companies operating in the global offshore wind industry to publish guidelines and mitigation actions, as the Novel Coronavirus continues to emerge as a global pandemic, as declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The subsea services provider has produced the plan in cooperation with its global medical services partner, International SOS, to ensure that it has “suitable and appropriate arrangements in place to safeguard our employees against the spread of COVID-19”.
The guidelines and mitigating actions enforced by the company are in line with the WHO’s recommendations.
As part of measures DeepOcean employees returning from a ‘Category 1′ areas of Wuhan city and Hubei province, in China, Daegu or Cheongdo, in South Korea, Italy, Iran, and Tirol, in Austria, since 19 February will not be able to access any DeepOcean site, regardless if symptomatic or not. They are advised to self-quarantine for the next 14 day and call their local medical practitioner for advice.
In addition, DeepOcean personnel returning from a Category 2 area, which include China, Japan, South Korea and south-east Asian countries, since 19 February and have developed symptoms, however mild, will not be able to access any DeepOcean site.
They are also advised to self-quarantine for the next 14 days and call their local medical practitioner for advice. However, if they have returned from a Category 2 location and are without any symptoms, travel to DeepOcean worksites can proceed as planned.
Company related travel to category 1 and 2 locations has been restricted until further notice.
DeepOcean travel will be limited as much as possible with emphasis to be placed on telephone and video conferencing whenever possible, said the company.
According to DeepOcean suppliers or clients scheduled to travel directly from any of the category 1 and 2 locations shall not visit any DeepOcean sites until further notice. However, this does not include operational personnel coordinated by DeepOcean crewing departments.