FILE PHOTO: Cranes and containers are seen at the port of Rosario
(Photo : Reuters)

As a pandemic spreads throughout the globe, Latin America took preventive actions to avoid the spreading of the virus.

Officers in the Panama Maritime Authority orders those visiting the terminals to take health measurements and to make sure that they are approved by the Ministry of Health (MINSA). Ports are also gathered to secure and guarantee the health of their workers. The terminals PSA International Terminal Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT), Colon Container Terminal (CCT), Terminal Bahía Las Minas Vopak and Cristóbal did not stop their operations. They instead continued and did an extra careful preventive action on their workers to avoid the said virus. 

The Vice President of marketing in Manzanillo International Termina Juan Carlos Croston said that the company continues to provide their terminal service. They also prioritize the health, safety, and welfare of all their workers as they continue to give their whole service to support and continue the supply chain in Latin America. 

The company also implemented protocols and rules according to the level of frequency and depth in all important areas, the areas mentioned are ISPS level 2 measures for vessel and terminal access, online gate process options and new gate hours, and splitting critical teams. The company also collaborates and secures the sustainability of the port's operation. 

Reports in Argentina from Latin America now have new controls to be established for the incoming foreign vessel crews that will enter the sea area. Ports free periods in Buenos Aires' terminals will also extend their services from March 20 to April 10 for the cargoes that will continue to operate in the terminals. 

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The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism in Peru reports that foreign trading and cargo by air, sea, land, trail, and rivers will still be guaranteed amidst the declared State of Emergency. 

The port of Santos in Brazil reported that they are now normally operating their cargoes thru ships, trucks and trains. In the sea, road and trail access are continuing their operations without any restriction orders from the government. Reports also added that in order to prevent the contagious disease, the terminal gates are operated by the health official authority to secure and make sure of the protection of the workers, whether they belong to personnel workers, office employees of private companies, truck drivers and other workers under the company. 

Cargos in Ecuador in Puerto Bolivar continue their normal operations between dates of March 16 and March 22, 2020. Ten ships that are loaded with 1.8 million boxes of bananas were loaded and arrived at the port Puerto Bolivar. 

Ports in Chile are reported to operate normally. The Chilean Maritime Chamber (Camport) also announced that normally operating ports allow the transportation of supplies even if there is a crisis and a virus outbreak. Ports in Chile also added that the port companies adopted and complied with the rules that were established guidelines for the timely transportation of the travellers and other crew workers that may cause the spread through local transmission of the Novel Coronavirus. 

Implementation of preventive measures to avoid the spreading of Novel Coronavirus are reinforced and practice through process are practiced in the Terminal Ports in Valparaiso, Puerto San Antonio, STI, Puerto Central and Puerto Panul.