This document has been prepared based on the evidence currently available about Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission (human-to-human transmission via respiratory droplets or direct contact from an infected individual). It is recommended to use it in conjunction with the published World Health Organization (WHO) Handbook for management of public health events on board ships. The target audience of this documents is any authority involved in public health response to a COVID-19 public health event on board ships, including International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP), port health authorities, local, provincial and national health surveillance and response system, as well as port operators and ship operators