MSCI Alert 2020-002A - global-novel coronavirus outbreak

Description: A health threat potentially affecting mariners and maritime commerce has been identified which was first detected in Wuhan, China. The nature of the event is an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus ("2019-nCoV") and is being monitored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. Coronaviruses range in severity from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The CDC has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Warning to avoid nonessential travel to Wuhan, China https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-wuhan-china and a Level 1 Travel Health Watch to practice usual precautions elsewhere in China https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/novel-coronavirus-china.

The U.S. Department of State has also issued several travel advisories on this outbreak including a Level 4 "Do not travel to Hubei province, China due to novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China" Advisory https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/China.html. This is a rapidly changing situation and we are still learning about the new virus. The U.S. government is monitoring the situation closely and anticipates updating its recommendations and guidance as needed. Globally, ports are taking actions including health screenings of seafarers for 2019-nCoV and restricting access to Wuhan port in China. Further updates will be provided when available. This alert will automatically expire on January 31, 2020.

Any maritime industry questions regarding this alert should be . For more information about U.S. Maritime Alerts and Advisories, including subscription details, please visit http://www.marad.dot.gov/MSCI.

Status: Active