(Yicai Global) March 20 -- The International Maritime Organization has recommended to the global shipping sector guidelines on preventing and controlling the novel coronavirus outbreak drawn up by Chinese authorities.

As the contagion spreads rapidly around the world, the United Nations agency issued a circular to its 174 member states, association members, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations on March 18, recommending the first edition of the on-board prevention and control guidelines compiled by China's Maritime Safety Administration earlier this month.

"The guidance is very comprehensive and provides a detailed guide for prevention and control of Covid-19 on board, especially psychological counseling," Zong Xingdong, a captain with Cosco Shipping Lines Shanghai, told Yicai Global yesterday.

The guidance contains valuable anti-epidemic experience in areas such as regulation, measures and emergency operations. It requires shipping companies to add regulations on Covid-19 prevention and control to their safety management and make quarantine plans in advance as well as provide ships with the necessary epidemic prevention supplies and prepare a list of such supplies.

In addition, the guidelines advise that the exchange of vessels and people on board should be minimized during the outbreak and the range of activities of visitors on board, such as suppliers, be controlled. They should also clean and sterilize ships, protect the crew and give them advice on mental health.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Peter Thomas