Following several discussions with the government, the Chief Secretary has exercised his powers to approve the exemption of crew members of goods vessels, including those without cargo operations, from compulsory quarantine under Cap. 599E to facilitate crew changes in Hong Kong.   

The Marine Department is issuing notices about the new arrangements to shipping companies and agents. (In April, the Marine Department already issued notices about crew changes with cargo operations.)

Briefly, for goods vessels without cargo operation which intend to apply to enter the Hong Kong waters for crew change, they should comply with the following conditions: 

(a) Out-going crew members who have completed their service on board would be required to stay onboard the vessel during their stay in Hong Kong and travel directly to the airport for repatriation to their home countries so as to minimise contact with the local community.

(b) In-coming crew members should only arrive Hong Kong when their vessels are berthed in Hong Kong and should get onboard immediately upon arrival.  If there is a genuine need for them to stay in Hong Kong whilst awaiting to board, the shipping companies/agents should arrange for them an accommodation for self-isolation until getting onboard. 

(c) Point-to-point transfers should be arranged by the shipping companies/agents for crew members to and from the vessel. 

Source: XINDE MARINE NEWS

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Xinde Marine News.