Entry restrictions of some countries are liberalized, and crew members can have multiple choices for crew change!
Entry restrictions of some countries are liberalized, and crew members can have multiple choices for crew change!
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic around the world in 2020, some countries have adopted different entry restrictions to curb the full-scale outbreak in the world. Recently, more and more countries and regions around the world began to gradually liberalize the entry and exit restrictions, including nucleic acid testing before takeoff, vaccination requirements, etc.. Crew shift is approaching the normal state before the pandemic. Today, E-PORTS will share with you crew policy adjustment of some Asian countries with the special reminder of E-PORTS StarAgent in the end.
Singapore
If the crew boarding for crew change is fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine, crew passport, vaccination certificate and application form need be provided within 4-5 days before takeoff. It is not mandatory to provide negative nucleic acid test certificates; If the crew disembark for crew change, crew passport, hotel reservation, ART test on board, electronic ticket and effective COVID-19 insurance, etc. need be provided.
India
On August 31st India’s Chennai Port has allowed Indian crew to go ashore for leave provided they have received two doses of the vaccine and comply with basic safety protocols such as wearing mask and protective clothing. But the crew on foreign vessels are still not allowed to go ashore for leave. To prevent the outbreak of pandemic, the captain and shipowner should check the health of crew who have landed for leave for two weeks to ensure that they are free of any virus.
Japan
From October 11, Japan will reopen regular tourism, cancel the upper limit of daily entry and resume short-term visa-free entry treatment for 68 countries and regions.
Thailand
On September 23, the Thailand government announced that it would cancel the emergency state of pandemic period from October 1 and allow travellers entering Thailand without showing full vaccination certificate and test results from October. Mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 patients no longer need to be quarantined, but they must wear masks and keep a safe distance from others when going out.
Korea
From September 3, all people entering Korea do not need to submit negative nucleic acid test reports (PCR) within 48 hours or negative rapid antigen test report (RAT) within 24 hours. However, nucleic acid test should be conducted once within one day after entry.
China
From August 31, the declaration requirements for nucleic acid detection of entry-exit personnel, previous infection condition and vaccination date, etc. will be cancelled, and border areas will be encouraged to create distinctive border tourism destinations. It is clearly stipulated that border tourism teams can flexibly choose entry-exit ports and cancel preconditions such as border tourism approval and applying for entry and exit documents nearby. Although the restrictions are only partially liberalized, it is the biggest good news for foreigners entering China.
However, according to the StarAgent of E-PORTS, it is known that foreign crew members are still not allowed to change shifts at China’s ports at present. It is hoped that the pandemic will end as soon as possible, and crew members all over the world can change shifts freely at any port. For the current situation of lifting restrictions in many countries, this situation is coming soon!
Ports for crew change—Asia
South Korea (main ports: Incheon, Yosu, Busan, etc.)
Major ports of Japan
Singapore
Malaysia (Western ports)
Major ports in Indonesia
Thailand (Ko sichang, Laem Chabang, Rayong, Phuket Island, , etc.)
Bangladesh (Chittagong)
Vietnam (around Ho Chi Minh city. Note: Chinese people need to apply for visas in advance when changing shifts in Vietnam)