For the second straight day, an employee for the Steamship Authority tested positive for COVID-19.
The Steamship Authority said Sunday that officials learned Saturday about the positive test result for the employee. It has not been determined if the latest case is linked to the positive COVID-19 case involving another employee on Friday.
The employee who learned of their positive test result Saturday recently worked on both the M/V Woods Hole and the M/V Governor. The positive test caused the authority to change Sunday’s schedule.
The Steamship Authority said the other case involved an employee who worked on the M/V Woods Hole. The positive test result involving that employee was announced Friday.
The company did not identify the positions for either employee.
The Steamship Authority said “out of an abundance of caution and given the proximity of the two incidents” it decided to take steps to limit the possible spread of the disease between its crew members and to maintain the safety of the public and its employees.”
The steps taken include:
- The M/V Woods Hole, which is currently on the Nantucket run, will be removed from service on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, and will move to the Authority’s Fairhaven maintenance facility for berthing.
- The vessel’s first round trip has been canceled; the Authority is attempting to run additional service with a replacement vessel on Sunday on the Nantucket run in its place.
- The first three trips of the M/V Governor will be canceled between Woods Hole and Vineyard Haven on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020. The vessel is scheduled to make its 12:20 p.m. departure from Woods Hole and all the subsequent trips for the day.
- Both vessels will be cleaned by outside vendors on Sunday as a supplement to the daily cleanings that all Authority vessels currently undergo.
Employees and vessel crews thoroughly clean and disinfect all high-touch areas, including hand railings, tabletops, door handles, seats, faucets, and toilets, multiple times a day, the company said. Additional crews are also assigned to perform cleaning and disinfecting measures on board each vessel overnight.
According to the Steamship Authority, it is unlikely either employee had prolonged exposure with any member of the public during their shifts.
Vessel employees are instructed not to come to work sick, must wear cloth face coverings, wash their hands frequently and use hand sanitizer. Vessel employees also undergo a health screening by a medical professional before each watch.
“Although I know the inconvenience Sunday’s trip cancelations will cause for our customers, I believe it is a necessary step to take for the general welfare of our customers and crews,” General Manager Robert B. Davis said. “Our employees have done an extraordinary job following our COVID-19 protocols thus far, for which I am grateful. However, given the proximity of these two test results and the number of crew members who have potentially been exposed, these temporary operational changes are the best way to ensure the health and safety of everyone.”
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