Changes to crew change protocol

06 Sep 2021 / Philippines

With reference to IATF Resolution Nos. 136 and 136-B dated 03 September 2021, please be guided on the following protocols relative to crew changes:

ARRIVAL OF SEAFARERS FROM YELLOW LIST COUNTRIES/JURISDICTIONS/TERRITORIES
All offsigners, regardless of vaccination status, coming from or with travel history within the last fourteen (14) days prior to arrival in the country from “Yellow List” countries/jurisdictions/territories shall be governed by the following entry, testing and quarantine protocols:

  • All offsigners shall undergo fourteen (14) day quarantine upon arrival. The first ten (10) days of which shall be observed in a quarantine facility, with the remainder to be completed under home quarantine in their respective local government units of destination;
  • Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing shall be conducted on the seventh day with Day 1 being the day of arrival. Notwithstanding a negative test result, the seafarer shall complete the facility-based quarantine period of ten (10) days;
  • The Bureau of Quarantine shall ensure strict symptom monitoring while in the facility quarantine for 10 days;
  • The foregoing shall be subject to special protocols approved by the IATF or the Office of the President for certain classes of travelers or ports of origin.

ARRIVAL OF SEAFARERS FROM RED LIST COUNTRIES/JURISDICTIONS/TERRITORIES

All offsigners, regardless of vaccination status, coming from or who have been to “Red List” countries/jurisdictions/territories shall not be allowed to disembark their vessel. Only Filipinos returning to the country via government-initiated repatriation, nongovernment-initiated repatriation, and Bayanihan Flights may be allowed entry subject to the following entry, testing and quarantine protocols:

  • All offsigners shall undergo fourteen (14) day quarantine upon arrival. The first ten (10) days of which shall be observed in a quarantine facility, with the remainder to be completed under home quarantine in their respective local government units of destination;
  • Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing shall be conducted on the seventh day with Day 1 being the day of arrival. Notwithstanding a negative test result, the offsigner shall complete the facility-based quarantine period of ten (10) days;
  • The Bureau of Quarantine shall ensure strict symptom monitoring while in the facility quarantine for ten (10) days;
  • The foregoing shall be subject to special protocols approved by the IATF or the Office of the President for certain classes of travelers or ports of origin;
  • All seafarers, whether Filipinos or foreigners, merely transiting through a Red List country/jurisdiction/territory shall not be deemed as having come from or having been to said country/jurisdiction/territory if they were not cleared for entry into such country/jurisdiction/territory by its immigration authorities;
  • Upon arrival in the Philippines, seafarers covered by the immediately preceding paragraph shall comply with existing testing and quarantine protocols.

Travel restrictions currently in place in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia shall be lifted effective 06 September 2021. Seafarers coming from the aforementioned countries shall comply with the appropriate entry, testing and quarantine protocols depending on their “Listing” as herein approved.

(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the Philippines, contact GAC Philippines at [email protected])

Source: Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation Notice dated 4 September 2021

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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