Following the COVID-19 outbreak, the USCG issued an updated advisory to prevent the spread of the disease. Specifically, Coast Guard informed that in case of illness onboard a vessel with symptoms related with coronavirus, it must be immediately reported to the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP).
Concerning the disease, USCG recommends shipowners and operators to be aware of the following:
- Passenger vessels or any vessel carrying passengers that have been to Iran or China or embarked passengers who have been in Iran or China within the last 14 days will be denied entry into the United States. If all passengers exceed 14 days since being in Iran or China and are symptom free, the vessel will be permitted to enter the United States to conduct normal operations. These temporary measures are in place to safeguard the American public.
- Non-passenger commercial vessels that have been to Iran or China or embarked crewmembers who have been in Iran or China within the last 14 days, with no sick crewmembers, will be permitted to enter the U.S. and conduct normal operations, with restrictions. Crewmembers on these vessels will be required under COTP authority to remain aboard the vessel except to conduct specific activities directly related to vessel cargo or provisioning operations.
- Vessel masters shall inform Coast Guard boarding teams of any ill crewmembers on their vessel prior to embarking the team. This release has been issued for public information and notification purposes only.
- Local industry stakeholders, in partnership with their Coast Guard COTP, should review and be familiar with Section 5310, Procedures for Vessel Quarantine and Isolation, and Section 5320, Procedures for Security Segregation of Vessels in their Area Maritime Security Plan.
- The Coast Guard will continue to review all “Notice of Arrivals” in accordance with current policies and will communicate any concerns stemming from sick or deceased crew or passengers to their Coast Guard chain of command and the cognizant CDC quarantine station, who will coordinate with local health authorities.
In light of the situation, the Coast Guard advice people to further review the CDC travel guidance and be in line with the U.S. Department of State (DoS) Travel Advisories related to COVID-19.
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