Please find links below for the latest updates of COVID-19 outbreak advisories as compiled from the information received from our various port offices.
Zone (Asia Pacific)
Link: GAC Hub Corona Virus Updates - APAC
Zone (ME, ISC, AF) + EU
Link: GAC Hub Corona Virus Updates - ME ISC AF EU
Zone (Americas)
Link: GAC Hub Corona Virus Updates – Americas
Due to file size being large, we have created a OneDrive folder to share the content via links above. Please download the Word documents to view the embedded content.
Changes / recent updates:
Philippines
- Updated list of countries under Green / Red / Yellow list.
China
- Dongfang - required disinfection at anchorage before berthing and PCR test after berthing. Cargo operations cannot commence until PCR test results come out to be negative.
- Yangpu - Effective from Dec 22,2021, for the following situation below, vessel can berth on arrival but PCR test is required after berthing. Cargo operations cannot proceed until the result come out to be negative.
- If with crew join ship within 14 days before arrival
- If vessel or any crew visited India, Pakistan, Laos, Burma, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Russia and Taiwan, China within 21 days
Singapore
- Singapore announced long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to Botswana, Eswatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into Singapore or transit through Singapore for a period of four weeks following initial reports on Omicron cases in these countries / regions.
- Singapore will not be extending these border restrictions, taking into account global developments on the Omicron variant. All passengers with 14-day travel history to Botswana, Eswatini, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe prior to departure to Singapore will be allowed to enter and transit through Singapore from 26 December 2021, 2359 hours, and will be subjected to border measures for Category IV countries / regions.
- Port Marine Circular (PMC) 44- 2021 has been removed.
- With effect from 26 December 2359H1, the NTL status of the following 10 African countries of Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria and Malawi are lifted. Ships arriving from Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria will adhere to the updated mandatory precautionary measures.
Indonesia
- Circular letter no. 26 / 2021 about overseas travel health protocols during the corona virus pandemic
Hong Kong
- Updated summary of quarantine arrangement for visiting vessels.
- Updated exemption conditions and quarantine arrangement for visiting vessels
- Updated risk-based boarding and compulsory quarantine requirements from the Department of Health regarding the Group A specified places (high-risk) list can be found here: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html. Bulgaria is categorised under Group A specified places with effect from 6 January 2022.
Argentina
- Crew changes are not prohibited; the national government allowed the procedure, but it’s still not applicable due to local governments’ inability to enable safe corridors.
- Refer to local port agents for further details.
- Flight restrictions are still in effect which may impact crew change.
- Vaccines are not available to be administered to crew members on the vessel.
- All the COVID pre-arrival regulations remain unchanged.
Canada
- Crew changes are allowed.
- Borders and airports are open.
- Vaccine are available at most ports.
- On-signers need an OKTB to enter Canada.
- Off-signers can sign off and must leave Canada within 72 hrs after signing off. PCR test might be required by airlines or destination country.
- As of November 30, seafarers who have been in countries with a high risk of exposure to the Omicron variant within 14 days of their planned arrival in Canada are prohibited from entering, regardless of whether arriving by air or by ship.
- Countries for which Canada currently prohibits entry are as follows:
- Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South America, Zimbabwe
Chile
- Crew changes are allowed after 7-day quarantine at Chilean ports
- Borders and airports are closed, but the International Airport at Santiago is open under certain COVID restrictions
- Vaccines are currently NOT available.
- A negative PCR test is required to enter the country. Test cannot be older than 72 hours from the time the sample was taken until the departure time of the last flight with final destination as Chile.
- All vessels are subject a Covid inspection at arrival to port.
El Salvador
- Crew changes are allowed.
- Borders and airports are open. Must provide negative testing of PCR-T with a max 72hrs before arriving.
- Vaccines are currently NOT available.
- International passengers must present an original negative RT-PCR test result issued within 72 hours after entering El Salvador at any point of entry (land, sea or air).
- International passengers are not required to be quarantined.
Martinique
- Crew changes are allowed in Martinique.
- The borders and the airport are open.
- Vaccines are available, but only Pfizer brand (2 dose) is available.
- For on-signers : A negative PCR test is requested less than 72 hours prior flight Paris to Martinique
- For off-signers : The PCR test is not required if final destination is Paris. It may be required for another final destination, in this case, it will be required at check in desk at Fort-de-france.
- Please note that the PCR test is only available weekdays (Monday to Friday) in the mornings. Getting an appointment can take time.
- It takes around 12 hours to get PCR test results.
- For the island of Martinique, all shops and restaurants are closed, tourism is forbidden, and hotel accommodation is available only for professional reasons
United States
- Crew changes are allowed, but a negative PCR test may be required at some ports.
- Crew change is, however, currently prohibited at the port of Mobile, Alabama.
- Airports and borders open, with exception of Canada-US border restricted only to essential travel.
- Vaccines are available on case-by-case basis and based on port schedules.
- If crew members are tested positive, the vessel may need to quarantine for 14 days and USCG may require entire crew to be tested if it is under 14 days or at their discretion.
- For vaccine availability and result turn-around time, please contact local agent office.
- Some terminals allows on-board vaccinations on a case-by-case permission basis. Admin. must board by launch.
For further details and assistance contact the following:
Asia Pacific Region
[email protected]
Middle East / Africa / ISC / EU
[email protected]
Americas
[email protected]
