Completion of health questionnaire & re-application for free pratique

16 Mar 2020 / Richards Bay, South Africa

In view of the current outbreak in South Africa regarding the Coronavirus, stringent health measures are in place to curb the possibility of the spread of the current pandemic. Urgent assistance is required in the following:

  • Making the above health questionnaire available to all masters of vessels entering the port of Richards Bay. These health questionnaires must be completed by all crew and passengers on board the vessels, as well as stamped and signed by the master of the vessel. These documents will be collected by the Port Health Officer boarding the vessel on arrival whereby further health screening measures will be put in place.

  • Reapplication of free pratique within 24 to 48 hours prior to the vessel entering the port of Richards Bay. Reapplication of free pratique as per above request is solely for monitoring and surveillance purposes. There will be no further cost incurred by the master of the vessel or the vessel agent.

At the point in time it is critical that this office is notified of crew and passenger changes of those arriving from foreign countries. The travel history of the crew and passengers will assist us in identifying possible risks pertaining to the incubation period d the coronavirus outbreak. The crew and passengers arriving from foreign countries must be screened at the Richards Bay office. The agencies must schedule screening appointments during working hours within 24 to 48 hours prior to the crew and passengers arriving.

(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at [email protected])

Source: South Africa Department of Health, Port Health Services, Richards Bay Harbour, letter dated 13 March 2020

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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