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Crew change hubs under control of the Philippine Ports Authority and Cebu Port Authority will temporarily disallow crew change activities for vessels from 20 countries from Dec 30, 2020, until Jan 15, 2021
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This is part of measures to prevent entry of the new variant of COVID-19
Starting 1 a.m. of December 30, 2020, crew change hubs under the control of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and Cebu Port Authority (CPA) will temporarily disallow crew change activities for vessels coming from an initial 20 countries until January 15, 2021 as part of measures to prevent entry of the new variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Based on a memo issued by Transportation assistant secretary for maritime Narciso Vingzon, Jr., the list of flagged countries includes Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom (UK).
More countries may be included to the list, PPA said in a statement.
CPA general manager Leonilo Miole confirmed to PortCalls Cebu port will comply with the directive, which came from the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
Both PPA and CPA are attached agencies of the Department of Transportation.
Seafarers already in transit from flagged countries and all those who have been to these countries within 14 days immediately preceding arrival to the Philippines who will arrive before 1 a.m. of December 30 will not be subject to restriction from entry, but will be required to undergo stricter quarantine and testing protocols.
Seafarers that fall under this classification are only allowed to disembark in Port of Manila and will be transported by their shipping agents to the designated quarantine facility under strict monitoring of the Philippine Coast Guard.
Filipino seafarers will be quarantined in Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-assigned facilities and at the Athlete’s Village in New Clark City with accommodation shouldered by the Philippine government.
Foreign seafarers will be quarantined in Department of Tourism-assigned facilities for 14 days.
PPA ports with crew change facilities include Manila South Harbor, Port Capinpin in Orion, Bataan, Port of Sasa in Davao and Port of Batangas.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, which has jurisdiction over Subic port, also a designated crew change hub, has yet to issue an announcement on whether it will implement the policy.
READ: PH imposes temporary ban on 20 countries
In a related development, the Philippines will also implement a travel ban covering 20 countries from 1 a.m. of December 30, 2020 to January 15, 2021.
