Issued March 17, 2020
From C-NLOPB
As the main regulatory body providing oversight to the oil and gas industry offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, we remain committed to providing sound regulatory oversight with our focus squarely on the safety and health of offshore workers and protection of the environment.
We are monitoring Provincial and Federal Chief Medical Officers daily updates and remain engaged with the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore industry’s medical service provider, Atlantic Offshore Medical Services (AOMS), the Government of Canada as well as the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, all operators and licence holders in the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area (Offshore Area) as well as Cougar Helicopters. We are holding daily conference calls with operators as we continue to monitor the status of COVID-19. We are implementing recommendations from Public Health and the Government of Canada and Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, to ensure the safety of our own employees and to monitor the safety of those working in our Offshore Area.
Screening has been in place at the St. John’s Heliport since March 6, and includes a questionnaire and temperature scan for all personnel entering the facility, including Cougar employees. Both are being administered by AOMS. Operators have also implemented additional screening for workers onboard supply vessels and for workers who are off-hitch. For further information on the screening process, please visit: https://bit.ly/2QnJPhc
All operators have appropriate plans in place and are in communication with each other as well as with appropriate regulators, to ensure a consistent basin-wide response. Safety is top of mind for everyone involved and both operators and the C-NLOPB are prepared to respond immediately to the rapidly changing response to COVID-19.
Our offices are closed to external visitors. We have begun a phased approach to having our staff work remotely, with non-essential employees being asked to stay at home and those who can already work from home to do so. We also remain engaged with our sister Board, the Canada Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board to ensure both organizations are fully supported.
We will continue to update our website and twitter account as further information is available and as the situation in our Offshore Area changes.
For information on COVID-19, please see the following links:
Government of Canada: https://bit.ly/2QpCoWB
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador: https://bit.ly/3b4HTC4
Cougar Helicopters: https://bit.ly/2QnJPhc
AOMS: https://bit.ly/2IXkQNe
