UK P&I Club informed that China has tightened procedures relating to coronavirus tests at its ports facilities, in an effort to control the spread of the pandemic.
In fact, on September 24th, Ministry of Transport, General Administration of Customs along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly issued an announcement informing that they strengthen the prevention and control of the COVID-19 among the crew of international sailing ships, so as to prevent the spread of the pandemic by the crew of international sailing ships.
According to the circular, all international sailing ships intending to enter China must keep in mind that:
- The joining crew members should have nucleic acid test for COVID-19 done within 3 days prior to boarding, and should board the ship with document showing negative result of nucleic acid test for COVID-19.
- The test should be conducted in an institution designated or recognized by the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad.
- When going through the procedures for entering the first port of China, the copy of the document showing negative result of nucleic acid test for COVID-19 for the joining crew members should be submitted as required.
A failure to comply with the above measures may lead to delays to the vessel and its cargo operations, while in serious cases where there is no document or false documents showing negative result of nucleic acid test for COVID-19 for the joining crewmembers, criminal responsibility will be investigated.
What is more, China noted that the nucleic acid test for COVID-19 should be conducted at the institutions designated or recognized by the overseas Chinese embassies or consulates.
See the list of designated COVID-19 test institutions by the overseas Chinese embassies or consulates herebelow :