Concerns about second virus-infected ship as two more BBC California crew test positive

There are new fears about a second coronavirus-infected ship that was recently in Australia, as the cases on-board a cargo vessel still docked rise.

There are fears about a second coronavirus-infected ship that was recently in Perth as the number of cases on-board a cargo vessel docked in Fremantle rises to 10.

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan said the Mattina, which sailed from Indonesia, was currently in New Zealand but had berthed in Fremantle between July 10 and 12.

New Zealand health officials confirmed nine of the 21 crew on-board had tested positive for Covid-19.

“I want to stress that it is standard operating procedure to treat every ship that visits WA as if it may be carrying the virus,” Mr McGowan told reporters on Tuesday.

“All workers who have contact with any vessel must wear appropriate PPE, masks and gloves, and take all necessary precautions.”

Mr McGowan said there were 25 people in Fremantle who had some form of interaction with the vessel.

The chief health officer advised if there was any risk involved with the ship, it was low.

“Out of an abundance of caution, all stevedores who may have come into contact with the Mattina whilst she was in Fremantle are being contacted by WA Health and interviewed to determine the most appropriate testing and quarantine arrangements for them,” Mr McGowan said.

The BBC California ship remains docked in Perth.

It comes as two more crew on-board the BBC California tested positive for the virus, taking the total number of infections to 10 and leaving just four healthy crew members.

The BBC California docked at Fremantle Port on Monday morning and, aside from the testing that was required onshore, they have all remained on-board and isolated.

Mr McGowan said serology testing on the four healthy crew members showed no sign of previous infection.

“We don’t want to risk the health of the remaining healthy crew members and we need to ensure the ship has adequate crew to safely operate,” he said.

“I have repeated assurances every protocol is in place and every precaution is being taken. I don’t want West Australians’ hard work to be undone.”

Mr McGowan said one option authorities were looking at was taking the four healthy crew off the vessel and putting them in hotel quarantine.

He said his preference was for the ship to sail as soon as practicable.

The BBC California departed Egypt last month then travelled to ports in Indonesia before reaching WA waters.

Crew members are believed to be from the Philippines, Russia, Ukraine and Bulgaria.

Asked if it was time to stop allowing ships from Indonesia to arrive in WA, Mr McGowan said: “It is a problem and we obviously need to look at this.”

“(But) we can’t have a shipping ban. Obviously, our export industries and our trade depends on it,” he added.

“Certainly in terms of Indonesia, there’s a significant issue and it’s very sad.”

There are now 17 active cases in WA, including the 10 from the BBC California, six cases in hotel quarantine and one man who remains in a Perth hospital in a stable condition.

He became ill on-board another ship – the Emerald Indah – and was taken off the vessel in Geraldton earlier this month.

Following the detection of new local cases of COVID-19 recorded in South Australia today, we are upgrading our border controls to keep our State safe.

Effective immediately, South Australia has been re-classified as a ‘low risk’ jurisdiction. pic.twitter.com/EEXPhCCcIj

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) July 20, 2021

Meanwhile, South Australia is now deemed a “low risk” state under WA’s strict border rules.

It comes after SA entered lockdown following more cases of Covid-19.

Travellers to WA from SA must now complete a G2G Pass, be screened upon arrival and self-quarantine for two weeks. They must also be tested on day 12.

Anyone who has been to a SA exposure site must also self-quarantine for 14 days, then be tested within 48 hours and on day 12.

Mr McGowan said 10 travellers had so far elected to reboard an arriving flight to return to SA instead of quarantining in WA.

“There are two remaining flights scheduled to arrive today,” he said.

“My advice to any West Australian who is currently in SA is to come home now. Things can change rapidly and it is not worth the risk.”

WA still has tough border arrangements with most of the other jurisdictions, too.

New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria are all classified as “medium risk”, which makes it harder for people to travel to WA unless they have an exemption.

The Australian Capital Territory is considered a low risk jurisdiction.

Only the Northern Territory and Tasmania remain “very low risk” states.

More than 9000 people received a Covid-19 vaccination in WA on Monday, including more than 5000 who had their second dose.