Dear friends and supporters,
We understand you may have concerns about coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on our mission and our Port community. Please know that Seafarers’ House is in close contact with Port Everglades as well as local health officials.
At this time our administrative office and our Casa remain fully operational and open. We are seeing typical numbers of seafarers visiting the Casa seeking our service and support. Our pastoral care team is contacting vessels to offer assistance and provide for their needs, but we are not conducting our regular fellowship visits on board unless specifically requested by a Captain or if there is a critical care situation on board.
Our administrative staff is currently working on site, but if required, we can remain fully operational by working remotely.
Our center welcomes and serves seafarers from around the world, therefore we always do our best to keep our Casa clean and sanitized. However, with as many visitors as we host each day, we need everyone’s help. Please pay special attention to washing your hands while at the Casa and to giving special care to the spaces you use while there. We have hand sanitizer available throughout the Casa for visitors, as well as adequate hand-washing facilities.
We urge everyone to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
If you are not feeling well, we encourage you to stay at home or remain on board your ship. If you have traveled to those countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow CDC guidance.
Because misinformation relating to matters of public health can be dangerous, we wish to highlight the numerous reliable sources to which you can turn for information.
The Florida Department of Health has dedicated a page to COVID-19, as has the Centers for Disease Control.
Broward County Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County have set up sites that offers tips, as well updates on the current situation relating to cases and testing.
If you have questions, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) #COVID19 Call Center is now available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1 (866) 779-6121 or you can email your questions to COVID-19@flhealth.gov
We are committed to maintaining Seafarers’ House as a safe and welcoming facility for all seafarers, and look forward to continuing to serve our Port community.
Sincerely,
Lesley Warrick
Executive Director, Seafarers’ House