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Welcome news from the Centre for Health Protection Communicable Disease Branch in Hong Kong. The CHP has advised the shipping industry that crew members of goods vessels will be exempt from compulsory quarantine upon arrival in Hong Kong.
There are, as may be expected, a variety of exemption conditions with which crew must strictly comply.
Firstly, incoming crew members should only aim to arrive in Hong Kong when their vessels are berthed in Hong Kong and crew should board immediately upon arrival.
If crew have to stay in Hong Kong, the Centre for Health Protection states that shipping companies / agents should arrange for self-isolation accommodation and that crew must not go to public places before boarding their ship.
Crew must also wear a surgical mask and observe strict personal hygiene at all times.
Incoming crew must also have evidence of a negative result of SARS-CoV-2 test performed at his/her last place of embarkation within 48 hours prior to his/her time of departure. Crew who do not have negative test results will be denied entry to Hong Kong.
Off-signing crew who have completed service onboard should stay on the ship during its time in Hong Kong and then, when it is time for repatriation, travel directly to the airport. They should minimise contact with the local community.
For further details please read this advice from the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection.
