Novel Coronavirus – new instructions

05 Feb 2020 / United States

U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters has issued instructions in light of the Presidential Proclamation related to the Novel Coronavirus outbreak.

As advised in the U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Virginia, Marine Safety Information Bulletin No.:20-026, new required 14-day measures are as follows:

  • Passenger vessels or any vessel carrying passengers that have been to China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) or embarked passengers who have been in China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) within the last 14 days will be denied entry into the United States. If all passengers exceed 14 days since being in China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) 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 China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) or embarked crewmembers who have been in China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) 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 representatives are reminded of the following requirements to report hazardous conditions and illnesses:

  • The master of a ship destined for the Virginia Captain of the Port zone shall report to the CDC, the occurrence, on board, of any death or any ill person among passengers or crew (including those who have disembarked or have been removed) during the 15-day period preceding the date of expected arrival in accordance with regulations (42 CFR 71.21). The responsible CDC station for the Port of Virginia is the CDC Washington DC Station, which can be reached at 703-661-1320.
  • The owner, agent, master, operator, or person in charge of a vessel is required to immediately notify the nearest Coast Guard Sector whenever there is a hazardous condition aboard the vessel (33 CFR 160.216). While the presence of a person with Coronavirus-like symptoms does not by itself constitute a hazardous condition, vessel operators should report suspected cases or other unusual circumstances whenever they are in doubt. Make local notifications to the Coast Guard by contacting the Sector Virginia Command Center at 757-483-8567.
  • Vessel masters shall inform Coast Guard and Customs boarding teams of any ill crewmembers onboard.

(For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at [email protected])

Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Virginia, Marine Safety Information Bulletin No.20-026 dated February 2, 2020

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

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