Loss Prevention 20 Feb, 2023

Crew Changes – New Entry Requirements in Qatar and Venezuela

Dean Crossley

Loss Prevention Manager

There have been reported changes within entry requirements and protocols that will directly affect crew changes undertaken within the specified countries below that have come into force during February 2023. The new requirements that the various government authorities have implemented are stipulated below:

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QATAR

The Club’s regional correspondent, Gulf Agency Company, provided information concerning a mandatory health insurance requirement for all persons arriving in the country. The new regulation, enacted on 01 February 2023, applies to all passengers (multi-entry / business visa) and new seaman visa applications.

Under the new policy, all individuals entering Qatar are required to have valid health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay. The insurance can be obtained from one of the registered insurance companies on the MOPH website or for individuals with an international health insurance policy; this must include coverage for the State of Qatar and be from a provider approved in the State of Qatar.

According to officials, the new policy aims to improve access to healthcare services for all residents and visitors and ensure that everyone has access to high-quality medical care when needed. With the rising cost of healthcare services, it is becoming increasingly important for individuals to have adequate health insurance coverage. The new policy is expected to help ensure everyone has access to the care they need.

VENEZUELA

The Club's correspondent, Venepandi CA, informed us that the Venezuelan Port Authorities have implemented a mandatory protocol for crew changes in all Venezuelan ports, effective from 10 February 2023.

To make crew changes as efficiently as possible should they be conducted at any Venezuelan port, the reported mandatory instructions are stated as follows:

FOR THE CREW MEMBERS WHO ARE GOING TO EITHER EMBARK OR DISEMBARK, THEIR HEALTH CONDITION MUST BE MONITORED FOR 14 DAYS BEFORE ARRIVAL

· Declaration of good health must be documented and signed by each crew member who intends to embark.

· For the on-signing crew, it is necessary to complete the immunization schedule, and they must be vaccinated.

· For the crew members who are going to disembark, their health condition is monitored through daily temperature taking by the Master of the vessel. Each crew member must sign this record. An additional declaration of good health will be made and signed by each crew member.

· For crew change to be possible, all crew members who are going to embark must present support of a rapid Covid-19 test with a negative result of a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 72 hours of validity. In the case of personnel who will disembark, only support of a rapid Covid-19 test with a negative result of a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 72 hours of validity will be required.

BRING MANDATORY UPDATED MEDICAL HEALTH REPORT BY AUTHORIZED DOCTOR OF THE AREA OR CIRCUMSCRIPTION

· As soon as the on-signing crew arrives and before they embark on the vessel, they shall undergo a medical exam evaluation performed by Harbour Master’s authorised Doctor; this will also need to be done with the off-signing crew as soon they arrive before completing all their Immigration formalities.

UPDATED MEDICAL HEALTH REPORT BY AUTHORIZED DOCTOR

· After performing the medical exam evaluation, the Doctor will provide a Medical Health Report, which must be completed when embarking and disembarking in the requested period as per the format. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are compulsory for travel to and from airports, and medical exam evaluations are compulsory before embarkation and disembarkation.