In the backdrop of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, the Kolkata Port Trust has cancelled the issuance of shore leaves for crew members.

“We have cancelled issuance of shore leaves for all crew members on all ships irrespective whether they are Indian or foreign nationals. We are not issuing shore leaves at Kolkata, Haldia, and Budge Budge docks,” said Vinit Kumar, chairman of the Kolkata Port Trust.

Shore leave is the leave that a sailor or a crew member enjoys when a ship is docked at a port and the sailors are allowed to enter the land wherever they are. The cancellation of shore leave restricts a crew member from stepping out of the vessel to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

This apart, to keep the virus at bay, the port authorities have suspended cruise ships for leisurely travel.

“We have suspended all Cruise ships to our port. Only passenger vessels to Andaman will continue,” added Kumar.

Since the outbreak of the virus, as many as 8,000 crew members and more than 400 vessels have been screened for coronavirus.

“Earlier we started off with the thermal screening of foreign crew and vessels coming from affected countries but now we are screening each and every crew member, whether Indian or foreign national. If someone has come from China, the crew member will be screened at Sagar Island and only then will be allowed to come to the port,” Kumar said.

Medical teams continue to screen crew members at Kolkata and Haldia port. An isolation room has been created too.

West Bengal has till now recorded zero positive cases of coronavirus infection, but the state government is taking every step to check its spread.

The helpline phone number for coronavirus-related inquiries in West Bengal: 1800313444222/03323412600

In India, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across the country is 83, with two deaths till now. The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under the central government has launched a helpline number: +91-11-23978046 for coronavirus-related inquiry and support. There are also separate helpline numbers for the different states and union territories.