New procedure for seafarers arriving from India to sign-on

07 Sep 2020 / Sri Lanka

In light of the rising number of COVID-19 patients in India, the Sri Lankan authorities have advised that an updated procedure for seafarers arriving from India comes into effect from today (7 September).

The new procedure identifies Government of India approved/certified PCR testing laboratories/medical institutes operating in close proximity to airports.

Principles intending to send crew from India to Sri Lanka will have to perform PCR tests for their crew only from these approved laboratories/medical institutes within the proceeding 72 hours to crews’ flight boarding with a NEGATIVE result.

Crew are to be accommodated in isolation centres/hotels in close proximity to the specific airport (with minimum no. of days possible) until they depart to the airport for onward arrival to Sri Lanka.

Upon crew members’ arrival to Sri Lanka, a second PCR will be performed at the point of entry and they will be transferred to the port/isolation centre as required until such time the results are available for their onward transfer to the vessel.

The procedure for direct bulk crew transfers via chartered flights and other procedures to be adhered remains unchanged.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Sri Lanka, GAC Sri Lanka at [email protected]

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