As the omicron variant is spreading globally, an increasing number of countries have published regulations affecting shipping.
China
- Dongfang: Required disinfection at anchorage before berthing and PCR test after berthing. Cargo operations cannot commence until PCR test results come out to be negative.
- Yangpu: Effective from Dec 22,2021, for the following situation below, vessel can berth on arrival but PCR test is required after berthing. Cargo operations cannot proceed until the result come out to be negative. If with crew join ship within 14 days before arrival.
If vessel or any crew visited India, Pakistan, Laos, Burma, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Russia and Taiwan, China within 21 days
Argentina
- Crew changes are not prohibited; the national government allowed the procedure, but it’s still not applicable due to local governments’ inability to enable safe corridors.
- Flight restrictions are still in effect which may impact crew change.
- Vaccines are not available to be administered to crew members on the vessel.
- All the COVID pre-arrival regulations remain unchanged.
Canada
- Crew changes are allowed.
- Borders and airports are open.
- Vaccine are available at most ports.
- On-signers need an OKTB to enter Canada.
- Off-signers can sign off and must leave Canada within 72 hrs after signing off. PCR test might be required by airlines or destination country.
- As of November 30, seafarers who have been in countries with a high risk of exposure to the Omicron variant within 14 days of their planned arrival in Canada are prohibited from entering, regardless of whether arriving by air or by ship.
Countries for which Canada currently prohibits entry are as follows:
- Botswana
- Egypt
- Eswatini
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- South America
- Zimbabwe
Chile
- Crew changes are allowed after 7-day quarantine at Chilean ports
- Borders and airports are closed, but the International Airport at Santiago is open under certain COVID restrictions
- Vaccines are currently NOT available.
- A negative PCR test is required to enter the country. Test cannot be older than 72 hours from the time the sample was taken until the departure time of the last flight with final destination as Chile.
- All vessels are subject a Covid inspection at arrival to port.
El Salvador
- Crew changes are allowed.
- Borders and airports are open. Must provide negative testing of PCR-T with a max 72hrs before arriving.
- Vaccines are currently NOT available.
- International passengers must present an original negative RT-PCR test result issued within 72 hours after entering El Salvador at any point of entry (land, sea or air).
- International passengers are not required to be quarantined.
Martinique
- Crew changes are allowed in Martinique.
- The borders and the airport are open.
- Vaccines are available, but only Pfizer brand (2 dose) is available.
- For on-signers : A negative PCR test is requested less than 72 hours prior flight Paris to Martinique
- For off-signers : The PCR test is not required if final destination is Paris. It may be required for another final destination, in this case, it will be required at check in desk at Fort-de-france.
- Please note that the PCR test is only available weekdays (Monday to Friday) in the mornings. Getting an appointment can take time.
- It takes around 12 hours to get PCR test results.
- For the island of Martinique, all shops and restaurants are closed, tourism is forbidden, and hotel accommodation is available only for professional reasons.
United States
- Crew changes are allowed, but a negative PCR test may be required at some ports.
- Crew change is, however, currently prohibited at the port of Mobile, Alabama.
- Airports and borders open, with exception of Canada-US border restricted only to essential travel.
- Vaccines are available on case-by-case basis and based on port schedules.
- If crew members are tested positive, the vessel may need to quarantine for 14 days and USCG may require entire crew to be tested if it is under 14 days or at their discretion.
- For vaccine availability and result turn-around time, please contact local agent office.
- Some terminals allows on-board vaccinations on a case-by-case permission basis.
