Marinas and ports of Holguín strenghthen border surveillance
- Written by Nelson Rodríguez Roque
- Published in Holguin
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The Oriente International Marina, in the coastal town of Vita, is often preferred by recreational or pleasure boat crews coming from several countries.
Its geographical location makes it less vulnerable to meteorological events, such as hurricanes. These days, however, their workers are prepared to face any incident related to COVID-19.
Rosell Rodríguez, head of the Customs Control Point, Dr. Israel Sánchez, Second Degree Specialist in Hygiene and Epidemiology, and Lieutenant Adel Rodríguez, Port Captaincy officer, are an expression of the unity of factors when it comes to protecting the country, including health.
They know by heart their responsibilities when a ship approaches the Marina. Prior to the appearance of the new coronavirus, the ships went directly to the dock if they flew a yellow flag (a sign that they are all healthy on board). Now they are heading to the center of the bay, where they are boarded by a working group made up of the doctor, a captaincy officer and the boatman, duly protected with masks, gloves and clothing used in these cases.
According to Dr. Israel Sánchez, they check the passports of the occupants, who fill out an affidavit of health for the traveler, whose body temperature is checked.
Rosell Rodríguez explained that officials from the General Customs of the Republic can board the boat, if necessary, in order to carry out detailed checks, otherwise, these personnel establish radio communication with the crew and thus comply with the procedures.
He and his customs partners act both at the arrival and at the exit of boats that stay in Vita taking advantage of the structural facilities of the site, which has 38 berths -with water and electricity-, space for 20 anchored ships and a restaurant, among others.
Rodríguez added that in the nearby port (also in Vita), where merchant ships are received, the procedure is largely similar, but, as the data is reported from where the crossing originates, the action is planned. “This year, no merchant ships have entered with foreigners, they come with a foreign flag, but Cuban crews, that is, they are chartered.”
Regarding the COVID-19, Sánchez explained the steps to be taken in the face of a suspected case: If the navigators announce a patient when approaching Vita, it is decided whether they will arrive at the port. If a suspected case is detected during the dispatch described (in the center of the bay), or during the stay on Cuban land, the isolation protocols will be activated on the ship (with surveillance for 14 days) and the transfer of the patient, if necessary, to El Cocal medical center, in the provincial capital.
Nine vessels, most of them from Europe, have arrived to the dock of the Oriente International Navy so far this year.
