Philippines ends temporary ban on international crew change

According to shipping agency GAC new guidelines have been issued for crew change from 1 February with reference to the Resolutions Nos.96 & 97 of the Philippines Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID).  The new guidelines essentially see crew change reverting to position it was prior to 30 December when the temporary ban was introduced due to the strains of the Covid-19 virus that had emerged.

“Both Filipino and foreign seafarers are allowed to disembark in any of the established crew changes hubs, notwithstanding the recorded port of calls of their ships, subject to the existing protocols of the One Stop Shop (OSS) for Seafarers,” GAC said.

The Philippines has change hubs in Manila South Harbour, Port Capinpin in Orion, Bataan, Port of Sasa in Davao and Port of Batangas.

Disembarking seafarers have to quarantine at facilities designated under the One Stop Shop (OSS) for Seafarers until testing negative in PCR Covid-19 test which is taken on the sixth day after arrival.

“Other provisions under the Green Lane Program for Seafarers of the national government shall be in effect,” GAC said.