#COVID-19:  DPR urges Offshore workers to isolate before deployment

Chinazor Megbolu     |      In a bid to enhance the containment of  further spread of #COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has asked offshore workers to Isolate before being deployed.

The Federal Government agency in its third advisory by the Director, DPR, Mr. Sarki Auwalu,  reminded oil firms in Nigeria on the need to observe the 14-day self-isolation regulation handed down to the sector.

He charged oil sector operators to ensure that all protocols are duly followed in terms of moving both offshore and onshore staff.

Auwalu also said that not following such protocols could worsen the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

He lauded their efforts in the implementation of stringent measures to contain the spread of the virus in the oil and gas sectors in line with federal government’s directives and circulars issued by the DPR.

Auwalu further pointed out that sticking with the rules will ensure safety and continuity of businesses and operations.

According to him; “most offshore operators maintain a transit centre in an onshore facility where intending offshore workers are isolated and monitored prior to embarkation for a 14/14/14, 14/28/14 or 14/28/28 days cycle (i.e. transit centre/offshore/off-duty) in compliance with DPR’s earlier directive on offshore rotation.

“To ensure that asymptomatic carriers are not missed out, a minimum of 14 days isolation period prior to embarkation should form part of your protocol for management of #COVID-19 outbreak as this conforms with the coronavirus incubation period of 2-14 days.

“In addition, isolation centres should be made conducive enough to prevent psychological trauma and emotional imbalance as a result of solitary confinement”.

He maintained that there were generally no requirements for supervised isolation of offshore workers immediately after disembarkation since offshore facilities are inherently controlled and isolated.

The circular from the third advisory also hinted that while some operators have started #COVID-19 testing and others were making plans to acquire appropriate test kits, all organisations should ensure that such test kits and procedures conform to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control #NCDC / World

Meanwhile, the DPR, however, enjoined the unions, as critical stakeholders, to maintain high level of cooperation with their respective organisations during this lockdown period.

“All operators shall promptly report any case of #COVID-19 in their offices, locations or installations to appropriate authorities and the DPR.

“In addition, similar measures should be adopted for onshore field locations where interface with host communities and local workers is prevalent, to complement ongoing efforts of government at combating the #COVID-19 spread,” Auwalu said.