Guidelines for tsunami warning services, evacuation, and sheltering during COVID-19: Indian Ocean
This document is aimed at national authorities responsible for the organisation of tsunami warning and emergency response. It clarifies the status of the regional tsunami services for the Indian Ocean and suggests best practices for national and local actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The document recognises that current national, regional and local responses to the COVID-19 may differ depending upon a number of conditions, such as the phase of the pandemic, transmission in the community, demographics, response capabilities, etc. ICG/IOTWMS Member States are therefore strongly encouraged to develop nationally coordinated guidelines based on this document to suit specific national circumstances and protocols, thus contributing to a common understanding of how to handle tsunami warnings and evacuations under COVID-19 pandemic conditions. Additionally, it is essential that the public in every country is properly sensitised to the resulting guidelines in advance of a tsunami event so that they can act appropriately during a tsunami emergency.