Request of Covid Rapid Test to Crew from 1 March 2022
Since December 2021, the Omicron Covid-19 infection hit another surge in Taiwan. One of the hotspots is Kaohsiung Port. Local authorities are trying to fight the transmission so several different new regulations stipulating for control the outbreaking have been imposed. Our office, as the local correspondent of your good P&I Club in Taiwan, would like to draw your attention to the specific new regulations to ship crew.
New Regulations to Control Pandemic
All personnel ashore need to receive a PCR test negative result report to port authority and wear personal protection equipment to get onboard. The new rule has been implemented for two months. To have a more effective control to the virus transmission, the port authority will further request international liners to have covid tests before entering Kaohsiung Port since 1 March, 2022. While it will be executed in a very short time, we would like to timely draw some lines hereto for your quick reference and earliest advices to members.
Crew Health Check Before Arrival to Kaohsiung, Taiwan
All onboard crew are now being requested to have a rapid test to covid-19 at 48 hours before arrival to Kaohsiung. The test results and health monitor records shall be submitted to Port Authority in advance. For the situation that there are not enough test kits for all crew onboard, the vessel may apply for the provision of the test kit to Southern Affairs Centre, Maritime & Port Bureau MOTC. (It can be made through vessels' local agent to authority). The test kits will be provided onboard after the vessels berth. Only if all crewmembers are testified their negative to covid-19 infection, the vessel can commence operations.
The rest results will be valid for 48 hours only. In case of lengthy wait for berthing at anchorage more than 48 hours, the rapid test to crew shall be carried out again.
What will the vessels Need to Do If Any Positive Case Is Detected?
In the event of any positive confirmed case detected from the crew onboard in the rapid test, the master shall report it to the local agent for timely notification to port authority and Taiwan Center of Disease Control (Taiwan CDC). The vessel with positive
confirmed cases will be then guided to berth at a designated wharf, and then a PCR test to all crewmembers will be arranged by hospital. Subject to the PCR test results, the infected crewmember(s) will be sent to hospital for treatment in hospital. The vessel will be requested to carry out a sterilization and shift to anchorage for fortnight quarantine.
During the fortnight time, the rapid test should be still conducted to all crew onboard which is to be conducted on the beginning, 3rd, 7th, 10th days of the quarantine. With the 4 times rapid test results, the vessel will re-berth to wharf on the 14th day and the final PCR test will follow. Once the results all show negative, the vessel can commence her original planned operation.
The authorities will adjust the regulations subject to the severity of the epidemic from time to time. Above regulations will be primarily brought into force from 1 March to 14 March 2022. Afterward, relevant changes of the control rules will be later informed if any.
Our Suggestions to Members in the New Regulation
We suggest that members shall ensure there are sufficient test kits onboard for crewmember's self-rapid test before arrival to Kaohsiung Port. In the absence or shortage of the test kits onboard, members shall ask the local agents to apply for the assistance from Port Authority. In the meantime, an onboard response plan and practice of the quarantine against the Covid-19 positive cases should be well prepared.
We will follow up relevant rules of Covid-19 control measures with port authorities regularly. Any development and news will be continually updated to Club and members. Shall you have any inquiry to our office in respect of the new rules at Kaohsiung Port, please kindly send your mail to tmspis@panditms.com.tw or dial our 24/7 hotline +886 983 345693.