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HOT PORT NEWS from GAC

Holding areas for crew changes
Wednesday, January 13, 2021, Singapore

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has announced newly designated holding areas for crew changes at Marina South Pier (MSP) and West Coast Pier (WCP).

To avoid crowding at MSP/WCP, all sign-on crew shall remain at the designated holding area at MSP/WCP while waiting to clear immigration.

The capacities of the holding area at MSP and WCP are 40 persons and 30 persons respectively. Should the holding area be full, the sign-on crew shall remain in their private vehicles.

For sign-off crew, the private transportation shall be ready and waiting so that the sign-off crew can depart MSP/WCP immediately after clearing immigration and do not need to crowd up the holding area.

Agents and appointed drivers are responsible to ensure that the crew remain in the holding area or private vehicle at all times. The crew shall not loiter anywhere else.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Singapore, contact GAC Singapore at [email protected]

Crew change corridor
Wednesday, January 13, 2021, Mauritius

A special corridor for crew change has been allowed in Mauritius with effect from 12 January.

The new crew change protocol issued by the Mauritius Health Authority advises the following:

ARRIVING CREW:
– Crew must have been at sea for at least 14 full days from the last port of call, before disembarking in Mauritius.
– All crew members, both those who will leave the vessel and those who will remain on board, will be subjected to a PCR test before disembarkation (cost borne by agent).
– Health authorities will clear crew for disembarkation upon presentation of a negative PCR test certificate.
– If one or more crew member is tested positive prior to disembarkation, they will be transferred to ENT. Other crew members will have to remain on board for an additional 7-day period.
– Outgoing crew and incoming crew members shall not mix.

REPLACEMENT CREW ARRIVING AT AIRPORT:
– Ministry of Health and Wellness to be informed in advance.
– Crew members must have a negative PCR test 5 to 7 days prior to date of boarding at last port of embarkation.

(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Mauritius, contact the GAC Dubai Hub Agency Centre at [email protected])

Source: Celero Shipping, Mauritius – GAC agent

Receiving Qatari ships & goods at Saudi Arabian ports
Wednesday, January 13, 2021, Saudi Arabia

Mawani Seaports Authority has announced the implementation of executive procedures to open Saudi Arabia’s sea ports to ships carrying the Qatari flag, Qatari-owned, discharging Qatari cargoes and transiting goods whose next destination is Saudi or Qatari ports.

For further details and information about operations in Saudi Arabia, contact GAC Saudi Arabia at [email protected]

Negative COVID-19 test required for air passengers entering United States
Wednesday, January 13, 2021, United States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expanding the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test to all air passengers entering the United States. Testing before and after travel is a critical layer to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19. This strategy is consistent with the current phase of the pandemic and more efficiently protects the health of Americans.

Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to emerge in countries around the world, and there is evidence of increased transmissibility of some of these variants. With the US already in surge status, the testing requirement for air passengers will help slow the spread of the virus as we work to vaccinate the American public.

Before departure to the United States, a required test, combined with the CDC recommendations to get tested again 3-5 days after arrival and stay home for 7 days post-travel, will help slow the spread of COVID-19 within US communities from travel-related infections. Pre-departure testing with results known and acted upon before travel begins will help identify infected travelers before they board airplanes.

Air passengers are required to get a viral test (a test for current infection) within the 3 days before their flight to the U.S. departs, and provide written documentation of their laboratory test result (paper or electronic copy) to the airline or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers or documentation of recovery before they board. If a passenger does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger…

…This order was signed by the CDC Director on January 12, 2021 and will become effective on January 26, 2021.

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

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Media Statement dated 12 January 2021

Source: GAC

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