One of the most efficient measures for preventing the onboard transmission of coronavirus is testing employees before they join a vessel. Numerous cruise line companies have established protocols whereby the crewmember is tested either in their home country before they start their trip or once they have arrived at the port. The majority of cruise line companies prefer PCR Swap testing, says AP Companies – ‘the only viable way to understand if the person is infected or not at the moment of testing’. Other options such as temperature measuring, or antibody blood testing, are not relevant in such circumstances as they don’t give a diagnosis.

AP Companies has developed a comprehensive network of laboratories at major ports in different countries in order to support its maritime clients in their new requirement. The company offers three options for testing, including: the crewmember can visit the medical centre in order to perform the test; or the crewmember can stay in their hotel and receive the test via post and then send the extracted sample back to the laboratory. In this case, the laboratory would provide a special package in order to avoid any risk for those involved in carrying out this service, in case the test is positive.

Alternatively, vessels can purchase their own tests and keep them on board. When a crewmember joins the vessel, they are placed in isolation and the ship’s doctor performs the test and sends it to the laboratory for analysis, using the special package provided by the laboratory.

AP Companies is able to provide Covid-19 testing in Europe, Asia, and South America, and its network of laboratories is ‘constantly growing’. Depending on the volume of tests required, and the location, the price of a test can vary from €35 up to €350.