PROTOCOL OF THE PHILIPPINES ON CREW CHANGE AND REPATRIATION OF SEAFARERS - as of July 15, 2020 - from DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

In order to facilitate the safe travel of seafarers and turnover of ship crew in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this document outlines the procedures on the crew change and repatriation of seafarers under the jurisdiction of the Philippines.

The conduct of the following procedures shall be in accordance with the following:

• Resolution No. 53, Series of 2020, dated 09 July 2020 and other issuances of the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID);

• Existing health and safety protocols established by the Department of Health (DOH);

• Quarantine protocols of the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ);

• Standards and procedures provided under Joint Circular No. 01 Series of 2020 dated 2 July 2020, with subject “Guidelines for the Establishment of the Philippine Green Lane to Facilitate the Speedy and Safe Travel of Seafarers, Including their Safe and Swift Disembarkation, and Crew Change During the COVID-19 Pandemic”; and

• Recommended procedures of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as contained in its Circular Letter No.4204/Add.14 dated 5 May 2020, with subject “Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Recommended framework of protocols for ensuring safe ship crew changes and travel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic”.