Wharfies who refused to unload a quarantine-breaking Chinese container ship because they feared it was contaminated with coronavirus are STOOD DOWN

  • Staff at a Melbourne dock were stood down after they refused to unload a ship
  • Government rules state that ships and crews must be quarantined for 14 days 
  • The ship landed after travelling from China and Taiwan 12 days earlier 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

By Tom Place For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:17 BST, 1 April 2020 | Updated: 02:11 BST, 1 April 2020

Dock workers have been stood down after they refused to unload a container ship from China because they feared it was contaminated with the coronavirus.

Maritime Union of Australia said the Xin Da Lian docked in the DP World terminal in Melbourne on Tuesday night in breach of the 14-day quarantine period set by the federal government.

The union said a total of 60 workers, including both night and morning crews, were stood down by DP World as a result of refusing to unload the ship’s cargo.  

Wharfies have been stood down after they refused to unload a container ship from China as they feared it was contaminated with coronavirus

Wharfies have been stood down after they refused to unload a container ship from China as they feared it was contaminated with coronavirus

The vessel left Shanghai on March 17 before docking in before arriving in Kaoshiung Taiwan and leaving for Australia 12 days later.

The union’s Assistant National Secretary Warren Smith said in a statement that ships were a proven dangerous transmission point for the virus.

‘The largest cluster of COVID-19 cases in Australia – which has already claimed several lives and caused hundreds of illnesses – was the result of inadequate measures put in place for the arrival of ships. What’s the difference with this ship?’ Mr Smith said.   

‘Wharfies don’t want to see a repeat of that blunder on the waterfront, but we still see ships allowed to dock inside of quarantine periods in breach of Australian Government Department of Health guidelines.

‘An outbreak of COVID-19 on the waterfront would have a devastating impact on Australia’s supply chain given 98 per cent of imports arrive by sea, disrupting the waterfront and stopping vital medical supplies, food, and household goods,’ he said.

Mr Smith also criticised employers for bypassing union demands and instead attempting to enact more power through essential services legislation.

Maritime Union of Australia said the workers were stood down on safety grounds after the ship was identified as a risk to workers and the community

Maritime Union of Australia said the workers were stood down on safety grounds after the ship was identified as a risk to workers and the community

Maritime Union of Australia said the workers were stood down on safety grounds after the ship was identified as a risk to workers and the community 

Under tough new border control guidelines, ship crews entering Australia from China must be kept in 14 days isolation from the moment the ship sets sail from its departure port. 

Under the new border control guidelines, ship masters must notify Australian border control if any of its crew is showing signs of coronavirus symptoms before being allowed to dock. 

According to the World Health Organization, it is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days.

DP World Australia chief operating officer Andrew Adam said the ship was cleared to berth by Australian Border Force.

‘Any crew members aboard a vessel that has been to mainland China, must have been at sea for 14 days before they are allowed to dock in Australia,’ he said in a statement on Wednesday.

‘The union is not allowed to unilaterally declare a vessel unsafe: they are not allowed to create their own set of rules.’

The vessel is believed to be carrying toilet rolls, surgical masks, shoe coverings, chemicals for the manufacture of soap and detergent, surgical gowns, laboratory coats, hair nets, tin food and whitegoods. 

The vessel was said to have departed from China to Taiwan before arriving in Australia 12 days later at the DP World terminal

The vessel was said to have departed from China to Taiwan before arriving in Australia 12 days later at the DP World terminal

The vessel was said to have departed from China to Taiwan before arriving in Australia 12 days later at the DP World terminal

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