Russia implements restricted measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Following the majority of the countries worldwide, Russia issued guidelines on how its shipping sector is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, ANTARICA GROUP, Axis Ltd, GAC, PANDI Services East issued information, according to which:

Novorossiysk 

In accordance with the Harbour Master’s order No.1079/0141 dated 05 March 2020, the shore leave is temporarily limited for the following:

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Italy and Iran arriving as crew members.

Crew members – foreign citizens, who visited ports of Italy, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, and Iran during the last 14 days before arrival at Novorossiysk seaport.

Maritime declaration of health, crew list and list of the last port of calls (previous 40 days) are provided by Agents to Rospotrebnadzor not later than 2 days before vessel’s arrival.

Kavkaz

As of March 11; No specific restrictions or measures have been implemented.

Tuapse

All vessels arriving at Tuapse port are subject to a temperature screening of the crew members before commencement of the inward clearance formalities.

Taman

Immigration authorities have temporarily restricted shore leaves for the following persons:

• Citizens of the People Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Italy and Iran arriving as crew members.
• Crew members – foreign citizens, who visited ports of Italy, People Republic of China, Republic of Korea, and Iran during the last 14 days before arrival at Taman seaport.

In daytime the vessels are visited by the sanitary services for identification of the crewmembers or passengers displaying symptoms compatible with the disease by temperature screening and examination. There is no screening during the night shifts.

A list of the previous ten ports of call must be provided by Agents to Immigration authorities.

Although there is no official requirement for a 14-day quarantine at anchorage, at the beginning of March a vessel coming from one of coronavirus-affected countries was not allowed to proceed for berthing until the expected incubation period of 14 days had expired.

Kaliningrad

Crew members who arrived to Kaliningrad on the vessels that departed from High Risk countries / ports less that 14 days before their arrival to Kaliningrad are demanded:

1. to stay on board at all times while the vessel is berthed
2. not to attend shops, pharmacies and/or any public places
3. not to use public transport
4. to avoid contacts with others
5. to comply with hygiene and sanitary protection requirements (body temperature screening twice a day and keeping temperature records).

It is commented that authorized representatives of Shipowners and their agents are held responsible for enforcement of the above requirements.

Murmansk and Kandalaksha

Starting from March 16th and until further notice all crew members returning to Russia from other countries, especially from Norway, are to undergo a compulsory medical examination through the established procedure, social withdrawal / self-imposed isolation is not considered sufficient.

Starting from March 17th and until further notice, disembarkation and shore leave is prohibited to crew members having arrived on the vessels from foreign ports to the ports of Murmansk and Kandalaksha in cases where these vessels had left foreign ports less than 14 calendar days before they arrived to Murmansk / Kandalaksha.

Harbor Masters of the ports are to take adequate measures to ensure implementation of the said requirements.