Evaluating Epidemic Preparedness and Response to COVID-19: A Nation-Wide Multisectorial Intra-Action Review of the Points of Entry Surveillance System in Vietnam, January to September 2020

Using the Intra-Action Review Methodology at European Level to Assess Effectiveness of Measures for Cruise Ship Operations in the COVID-19 Context

“…IARs have been conducted reviewing countries' COVID-19 responses [11] including for points of entry [12,13]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first application of IAR methodology involving multiple countries reviewing a COVID-19 event onboard a conveyance.…”

Re-Starting the Cruise Sector during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece: Assessing Effectiveness of Port Contingency Planning

“…Country-led IARs have been conducted globally to assess several COVID-19 response domains (pillars) simultaneously, including a pillar for points of entry (PoE) [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]. IARs have also been implemented to focus specifically on countries’ COVID-19 response at PoE [ 39 , 40 ], with some IARs for ports and airports carried out under the European HEALTHY GATEWAYS framework [ 41 , 42 ]. However, to the best of our knowledge this is the first published study applying IAR methodology to a single point of entry at local level, to assess effectiveness of port-specific contingency planning and integrate lessons learned for rapid revision of the port’s PHECP and existing European guidance.…”

“…Findings from an IAR assessing Vietnam’s PoE surveillance system early in the COVID-19 pandemic identified preparedness gaps stemming from inadequate implementation of plans already in place, since there were no conditions to enforce plans [ 40 ]. Implementation of the revised COVID-19 PHECP was not identified as a challenge at Port A.…”

“…The WHO Joint External Evaluation tool also emphasizes development of a “multisectoral” public health emergency contingency plan in the context of public health response at PoE [ 46 ]. A recurring challenge identified in the literature both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic was lack of clarity regarding roles and responsibilities for managing public health events at PoE and on conveyances, highlighting the need to clearly document the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved [ 1 , 40 , 45 , 47 ]. A similar challenge was observed when revising Port A’s initial COVID-19 PHECP, as limited experience managing COVID-19 events during 2020 made it difficult to identify necessary COVID-19-preparedness and response tasks.…”