In a sobering statement, Oslo-based subsea services provider DeepOcean has released extensive guidelines for its employees in response to the coronavirus, outlining travel restrictions to and from areas of high outbreaks and precautions for handling suspected infections
The guidelines also impact suppliers and clients.
Travel bans are imposed by the guidelines to areas in China, Austria, Asia and southeast Asia, and bar personnel, suppliers and clients in certain cases returning from those areas from visiting company sites. DeepOcean also shared medical guidance on managing suspected coronavirus (Covid-19) cases on vessels, including medical staff precautions and patient quarantine.
In its guidance, DeepOcean writes “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.”
Category 1 locations are:
Category 2 locations are:
With 14 vessels and 50 remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in its fleet and operations around the world, DeepOcean supports the oil and gas, decommissioning and offshore renewables sectors. It notes that suppliers or clients that have a scheduled visit to a company office or worksite must confirm prior to their visit that they have not been to any of the category 1 or 2 locations or have come in contact with a person that has been in the last 14 days.
DeepOcean plans to restrict its travel as much as possible regardless of destination, using telephone and video conferencing whenever possible.
In a statement, DeepOcean said, it was “monitoring coronavirus developments closely and continuously working with our global medical services provider, International SOS, to ensure we have suitable and appropriate arrangements in place to safeguard our employees against the spread of Covid-19.” It said its guidelines and mitigating actions enforced by the company are in line with the World Health Organization’s recommendations and developed in collaboration with International SOS.
DeepOcean shared its guidelines and coronavirus developments via a sharepoint web portal. The subsea services provider cautioned employees that “the situation is a ‘moving target’ and they should regularly refer to the site to remain well informed of the latest guidance relating to coronavirus.
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