Amid COVID-19 pandemic and the crew change crisis that has presented, Philippines opened the first “Green Lane” in order to facilitate free movement and safe travel across borders for seafarers in Asia.
In fact, the Philippine Green Lane Joint Circular was inked on 2nd of July 2020 at the DFA, by the Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Interior Undersecretary Bernardo Florece Jr., and Justice Assistant Secretary Nicholas Ty.
What is more, the circular which took effect within signing, ensures and allows seafarers to safely travel for crew swift or repatriation during the outbreak.
At the same time, the initiative will further facilitate the creation of controlled travel corridors to open the Philippines for people-to-people and economic exchange and stimulate the country’s economy amidst its ongoing bout against the pandemic.
In light of the situation, Secretary Locsin noted:
With these guidelines, we are answering the call of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the maritime industries, to put in place a framework for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. And we are doing more.
While “Green Lane” being the answer to the IMO call concerning the implementation of crew change protocols, it further covers seafarers, licensed manning agencies, shipping companies, airlines and other entities involved in facilitating the travel of seafarers for purposes of crew change and repatriation during the pandemic.
