Amended guidelines for foreign crew changes

01 Oct 2020 / South Africa

Foreign crew changes are now permitted at all of South Africa’s nine commercial ports.

Signing-on crew must produce a negative PCR test certificate or a valid certificate of COVID-19 negative results, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel, from an accredited laboratory and in line with World Health Organisation requirements at the first South African port of entry. If a crew member fails to produce a valid PCR test certificate, this will warrant quarantine at their own cost.

Signing-off crews are not required to produce a valid PCR certificate if the vessel has not had crew changes or visited a foreign port within 10 days before arrival at a South African sea port. A crew member’s failure to adhere with the requirement above will warrant quarantine at their own cost.

Foreign crew may layover at a designated quarantine facility for a period not exceeding seven days, at their own cost, but must proceed directly to port of entry once this period has lapsed and must also comply with South African immigration requirements and Port Health protocols.

Cruise ships are prohibited from calling at any South African sea port, except for the disembarkation of returning South African crew, citizens or holders of permanent residence permits.

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

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