CORONA VIRUS PRACTICAL INFORMATION REGARDING CREW RELIEFS
Update Number 1 – 14th March 2020.
Dear Colleague,
Since we have sent you the FAQ the spread of the virus has developed significantly around the globe, with Europe currently being declared the epicentre. At the time of writing there are approximately 150,000 cases worldwide and the World Health Organisation have declared the situation as a Pandemic.
We are seeing more and more countries close their borders making crew changes increasingly difficult. We are aware of other Ship Owners and Ship Managers who have temporarily halted crew changes.
For the avoidance of doubt, it is not Northern Marines intention to put any kind of halt on crew changes. We are working to ensure that crew reliefs go ahead wherever possible. It is important that yourself and the crew understand this, however you should also be aware of the challenges and the barriers that we are faced with. With that in mind, we have listed below the current restrictions and challenges that we are facing;
Please be guided that this is a very fluid situation, changing almost by the hour!
Philippines:
• OFW’s (Overseas Filipino Workers) will be allowed to travel regionally provided they have the appropriate documentation to demonstrate that they are being deployed
• This is a community quarantine, meaning that no land, air or sea travel regionally will be permitted.
• International flights will operate, however likely at reduced schedules.
• Staff will be able to commute to the office.
• POEA, MARINA and other government bodies will reduce their office manning to skeleton staffs, but will continue to operate during normal working hours.
• Local government officials have the authority to further lockdown areas if they have more than 2 confirmed cases of local infection (which is highly likely to happen).
• A curfew has been imposed in Manila between 2000hrs – 0500hrs.
USA:
• State of Emergency declared.
• Legislation preventing European (Schengen) residents and all who have visited Schengen countries in last 14 days from entering US.
• The legislation clearly states that the restrictions do not apply to C1/D holders, however in the practise their appears to be confusion from CBP/Airlines and they have been refusing people.
• 13/03/20 - we were refused a crew change at Hawai due to the above legislation.
• 14/03/20 – Crew change at Houston was permitted.
To summarise - The situation in America seems very much to be on a case by case basis.
Panama:
No crew reliefs permitted.
India:
A press release has been issued from the Govt, which we are awaiting clarity on. It states ‘Incoming travellers including Indian Nationals, are advised to avoid non-essential travel and are informed that they can be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days on their arrival India’.
Croatia;
• Borders not closed (except ferries with Italy) but all passengers have to pass check point which is causing delays.
• All public events are cancelled sports, theatres etc and offices having visitors have stopped receiving them.
• Zorovic have closed their office for visitors and all activities are contuing remotley.
Russia
• No border closures.
• Russia have restricted public congerations to 1000 in St Petersburg and 5000 in Moscow.
• Self isolation instructed if pre-determined countries have been visited.
• Russian office still continues to work as normal, however some staff will be working remotely.
Latvia
• No border closures.
• Latvians Citizens / residents are not allowed to travel to US. However we are communicating with thee US embassy - all seafarer ( holders of C1/D visas ) are still free to travel to US (subject to case by case situation outlined above)
• From March 18, 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Riga will not do in-person nonimmigrant visa interviews until further notice.
• Latvian Maritime Administration is in process of developing a procedure of extension of validity of the certificates and diplomas.
Poland
• State of Emergency declared
• Borders have been closed to non Polish nationals/residents.
• International Rail/Air and Bus transport has been suspended.
• The measures will initially apply for 10 days
• Restaurants and bars would have to shut down, while in shopping malls only supermarkets, dry cleaning shops and pharmacies would be allowed to stay open. Public gatherings involved more than 50 people will be banned.
Romania
• Implemented stage 3 of risk and measures, Schools and Universities are closed since 12.03.2020 and the Public Institutions are offering online services only.
• The public events and sport competitions have been cancelled, the Theatres are closed and the general guidance is to avoid interaction when possible and to limit visits and shopping to minimum
• Romanian citizens are still allowed to travel, the borders are still open but the authorities are monitoring the travellers coming from the countries declared as at risk .
• The Romanian Naval Authority had limited access but is offering support for those who should join a vessel only. They are presently working for a solution to provide online services for documents extensions (except exams and seafarers evaluation).
Flight Availability
With the various restrictions being put in place, demand for air travel has dramatically decreased. This has caused several airlines to ground flights. We are working very closely with Clyde Travel and will make case by case decisions based on flight availability.
A recent example was of a Venezuelan officer, scheduled to join the vessel at Hawaii. The only viable route we could achieve was Caracus/Paris/Los Angeles/Honolulu. As you can expect this is very onerous travel route and with the uncertainty of transiting Los Angeles after transiting a Schengen zone we took the decision to postpone this crew change.
Please do keep in mind that the situation is rapidly changing, however we will endeavour to keep you as closely advised as possible. In the meantime please contact the Fleet Group or Crewing team if you have any questions or concerns.