The Directorate General of Health has been alerting society in general and companies in particular about the Coronavirus pandemic (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), recommending the preparation of contingency plans.

In this context, considering that the Health Authority is responsible for intervening in situations of risk to Public Health, meetings were held with the Matosinhos Authority, from which a set of actions to be implemented at APDL, S.A. were identified.

Within the scope of Port Security and Protection, the CCOPP - Port Protection Coordination Center was convened, holding meetings with the various Authorities that compose it: the Captaincy, SEF, Customs, GNR (Coastal Brigade), and Border Health, represented by the Health Delegate who attended with his entire medical team, the DOPS, and HRD.

APDL's Contingency Plan establishes and documents decision-making and coordination procedures at the company level, in all its port and non-port facilities, with the main strategic objective of defining, for different scenarios of epidemic evolution, the continuity of service provision/activities of the company and includes the following operational objectives:

 

Defining the response in different phases of the plan, with the aim of maintaining essential services operational;

Establishing decision-making and coordination structures;

Coordinating with external entities/authorities;
Ensuring minimum services in a contingency crisis situation;

Reducing the risk of contamination in workplaces at both port and non-port facilities;

Preparing responses to prevent/reduce the spread of the pandemic;

Developing procedures to protect the health of all workers;

Ensuring constant flow of information to both internal and external stakeholders;

Monitoring and continuously tracking the process;
Preparing for the restoration of normalcy as quickly as possible.

 

This Contingency Plan is coordinated with the Contingency Plans of the Ports of Leixões and Viana do Castelo, being an integral part of them.

Plan Phases

  • Phase I corresponds to the pre-pandemic period. News of potential isolated cases, due to imported transmission, emerged in Portugal.
    During this phase, a meeting took place between the Occupational Health Department of APDL and the Health Authority of Matosinhos, Dr. Jaime Baptista, where the following actions were identified, based on the guidelines of the Directorate-General of Health (DGS):

    Identification of internal contacts with the Health Authority (Name, Mobile, Email), with the aim of creating a direct/instant communication channel between the company and the health delegate.

    Definition/identification of essential workers for the full operability of the Port in case of a pandemic – Priority_Workers.xls list.

    Definition of the composition of the prevention kit, and its acquisition, based on the guidelines of the DGS.

    Definition of a flowchart with the steps to be followed by the company in case of suspected infection(View procedure  P-DvGSO/MT-007).

     

  • Phase II corresponds to the exponential increase in infected individuals worldwide, a situation that threatens the normal functioning of organizations. Therefore, APDL will proceed to:

    General awareness about the definition of a suspected case and dissemination of the action flowchart in case of suspicion of Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19), involving a worker, a family member, a port and non-port facility, and a ship - Email to all employees, Employee Portal, posting in certain locations. - procedure P-DvGSO/MT-007.
    Identification of "isolation" areas and general awareness about - procedure - P-DvGSO/MT-008.
    Allocation of the prevention KIT to workers who will assist potential suspected cases, with defined protective materials.

    Distribution of alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers at building entrances, and in other locations where APDL workers have frequent direct contact with the public, and promotion of individual hygiene among workers, using explanatory posters on-site.

    Provision of paper towels for hand drying in hygiene areas.

    Placement of waste containers with non-manual opening and plastic bags in hygiene areas.
    Update of information available on the Employee Portal and dissemination among workers.
    Suspension of biometric control measures at the company.

    Establishment of respiratory etiquette at the APDL Assistance Center for beneficiaries with respiratory symptoms such as cough and sputum. The accompanying poster for this initiative will have the following message: "If you have a cough and sputum, protect yourself and do not infect others! Use a mask."

    Coordination meetings between the Port Protection Operations Coordination Center (CCOPP) and other entities comprising it (Captaincy, SEF, Customs, GNR, and Border Health).

    Enhanced hygiene and disinfection measures in workplaces.

    Assessment of participation in events- procedure P-DvGSO/MT-009.

     

  • Phase III corresponds to the moment of exponential increase in infected individuals in the area, anticipating that, in addition to the actions outlined in previous phases, the following measures may be taken:

    Maximum restriction of physical contacts (handshakes).

    Ensuring distance (more than 1m) at public service points and evaluating the reduction or suspension of the service hours.

    Restriction of visits and welcoming of strangers to the premises.

    Suspension of events or public initiatives, held both indoors and outdoors.

    Suspension of non-priority activities.

    Closure of bars, cafeterias, canteens, and the use of other common areas.

    Limitation or even prohibition of meetings involving a large number of people.

    Closure of some buildings.

    Dismissal of workers who can work remotely. Increase distance between workers with essential physical presence when possible. When not possible, use of PPE.

    Regular and intense cleaning and disinfection of workplaces and isolation areas by a specialized service provider (hospital cleaning companies)..

  • It corresponds to effective control and/or termination of the pandemic and consists of:

    Reintegration of infected workers, who have recovered and have not yet returned to their workplaces, after receiving medical clearance.

    Restoration of normal working conditions, with internal/external communication regarding the return to normality, and resumption of internal and external interaction and relationships with clients, suppliers, and visitors.

    Declaration of the end of the crisis and the consequent resumption of functional normality.

  • A ativação/desativação das fases depende da evolução da epidemia e das orientações das autoridades nacionais de saúde, mais concretamente da Autoridade Saúde de Matosinhos. Esta situação é efetuada mediante um contacto com os interlocutores da APDL definidos no plano.

PLANO DE CONTINGÊNCIA - APDL CORONAVÍRUS (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19)
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