Border and ports on alert for global pandemic

With the Calais border crossing the eighth busiest on the northern border and the Port of Eastport a point of entry for cruise ships and freighters, officials are on the alert for any changes to the coronavirus global pandemic that could have an impact on their operations.
Tom Critchley, general manager of the Eastport branch of Federal Marine Terminals, which operates the Estes Head cargo shipping port on the island, explains that the port follows all U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) recommendations. "They are sending out mariner safety bulletins," and, he adds, "They put things in place." For example, he notes that cargo ships from China have to be at sea for 14 days before they can land in the United States. Any illness has to be reported to the USCG captain of the port before arrival. In addition any vessels destined for a U.S. port are required to report to the national Centers for Disease Control (CDC) any sick or deceased crew or passengers during the 15 days prior to arrival at a U.S. port. Additional procedures are in place that the USCG would use in partnership with local officials for vessel quarantine and isolation should the need arise.
Eastport's first cruise ship of the year is expected to arrive in early May, and Eastport Port Authority Executive Director Chris Gardner has not heard of any changes to the 2020 cruise ship schedule so far. "We're in a wait-and-see mode as far as our cruise ship visits," he says. The port authority relies on the USCG for guidelines, and so far he has not received any new information on USCG standard procedures.
Of border operations, Michael McCarthy, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Department of Homeland Security New England Region press officer, says, "All CBP ports of entry are following the same operational guidance as issued by the presidential proclamations and the Department of Homeland Security. With exceptions specified in the proclamations, foreign nationals -- other than immediate family of U.S. citizens, permanent residents and flight crew -- who have been physically present in China or Iran within 14 days of their arrival at a U.S. port of entry will be denied entry into the United States."
"CBP has procedures in place when inspecting international travelers at U.S. ports of entry. In general our officers are always alert to any passenger-exhibited visible signs of illness," McCarthy adds. "CBP has issued guidance to all employees that outlines the current comprehensive use of personal protective equipment, including guidance regarding wearing masks in the appropriate circumstances." In addition, he states, "Agents and officers will maintain situational awareness while identifying individuals who have traveled from or transited through affected countries. If individuals are observed with symptoms of COVID‑19 we will continue to work with the CDC to determine if a traveler is a possible public health risk by referring them for enhanced screening. As the COVID‑19 epidemic progresses, we are reminding all CBP employees to use proper procedures to prevent the spread of communicable disease."
McCarthy explains that CDC personnel are responsible for the enhanced health screening of travelers in all locations. "CBP is working with the CDC to identify arriving travelers who have been in mainland China or Iran within the previous 14 days, as they require enhanced health screening. Those travelers are identified by CBP officers during their primary inspection and are referred for secondary screening, where CDC personnel conduct the enhanced health screening. CDC makes any determination from there as to whether any additional measures must be taken."