A south-west MP has moved to allay any community anxiety about crewing arrangements for the drilling rig Nobel Tom Prosser which will be anchored off Portland in the coming weeks.
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Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell said she had been contacted by Portland residents concerned about the potential spread of coronavirus because the rig uses international crew members.
She said she sought advice from the Minister for Ports and Freight Mellissa Horne and the Port of Portland.
"The crew will have minimal interaction with the Portland community according to the minister's office," Ms Britnell said.
"In terms of the crew members that will be on board when it arrives in the south-west. I am advised the last person from overseas who joined that crew did so in early March, well beyond the 14-day period incubation period associated with coronavirus.
"The minister's office advises that members of the crew who will join the rig once it anchors in the south-west are currently completing the mandatory 14-day quarantine in a Melbourne hotel.
"I'm told they will arrive in Portland, be taken to the rig and will remain on board for the entire duration of their shift.
"The minister's office told me all international crew members arriving into Australia to join the rig during the time it is anchored in the south-west will be required to undergo mandatory quarantine as per federal government directions."
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