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Updates to Queensland Health Officer public health directive can be found here |
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25 June 2021 | Update 159 Dear maritime colleagues, Each Friday Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), Department of Transport and Main Roads emails stakeholders to provide an update on COVID-19 and its impacts on the maritime industry. Additional updates are also issued following changes to restrictions and whole of government response to COVID-19.
MSQ's current directions, vessel reporting statistics and COVID-19 updates can be found on the MSQ website. |
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COVID-19 Hotspots
From 1am AEST Thursday 24 June 2021 the Local Government Areas (LGAs) within the regions of Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour are declared COVID-19 hotspots. This includes the Local Government Area of Waverley which has been a declared COVID-19 hotspot since 19 June 2021.
Anyone who has been in these LGAs since their identified start date – 19 June for Waverley and 24 June for the rest of the hotspots in NSW – will not be allowed to enter Queensland, unless they are a Queensland resident or have an exemption. Anyone allowed to enter will need to go into hotel quarantine. From 1am AEST Friday 25 June 2021 there are no declared hotspots in Victoria.
A Map of COVID-19 hotspots can be found at COVID-19 hotspots | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
Exposure Venues
There are also a number of?Exposure Venues in Victoria, NSW and Queensland. If you have been in?an Exposure Venue in the last 14 days,?you are required to quarantine?from date of arrival in Queensland?until 14 days has passed since you were at the interstate exposure site and get tested.?Exposure venues are subject to change, so please check the?most current list.?
Please refer to the?Queensland Health website?for full and up to date details.?
Small craft entering Queensland from NSW
Anyone arriving in Queensland by small craft, who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days, must not enter Queensland.
MSQ have recommenced maritime border control operations. MSQ will undertake both targeted intelligence-based and random vessel intercepts and will be assisted by the Queensland Water Police.?
Persons arriving from a hotspot are not permitted to enter Queensland by sea and will be turned around if safe to do so or placed into hotel quarantine for 14 days at their own expense. Persons may also be fined if they have breached the border restriction direction.?
Persons arriving by sea that have been in an exposure venue in Victoria or NSW will directed to quarantine either at their residence or a government quarantine hotel, again at their own expense.?
Any person arriving from NSW who has not been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days, must complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass.
Overnight passenger vessels and commercial liveaboards– Maximum Passenger Capacity
The Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction (No.20) was updated at 1am EAST 25 June 2021.
Importantly, live aboard and passenger vessels where passengers are accommodated overnight, may operate: - in accordance with occupant density (occupant density in indoor spaces has increased to 3 people per 4 square metres, or 100% seated venue capacity where all patrons are in ticketed and allocated seating); and
- up to a maximum of 99 passengers.
All business must also operate in accordance with a COVID Safe Checklist or COVID Safe Event Checklist in replacement of a COVID Safe Industry Plan, or COVID Safe Event Plan.
Further information can be found at Businesses, activities and undertakings | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
Vessels of interest - COVID MSQ, in collaboration with Queensland Health, have managed one vessel of interest in the past week.
A bulk carrier was identified as having 3 close contacts join the vessel at last port, after the crew had in-flight exposure to COVID when travelling to meet their vessel.
The 19 crew on board were tested at anchor off the Queensland coast. All 19 crew tested negative and the vessel was cleared to berth. |
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International Maritime Crew Protocols and Directions |
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The Protocol has been updated to include reference to the new Queensland Travel Direction.
Other recent changes to the Protocol include: - Inclusion of reference to the new Queensland Travel Declaration
- Inclusion of Border Restrictions Direction (No. 24)
- Maritime crew that sign off a vessel in Queensland and enter hotel quarantine must be tested before they leave Australia.
- Maritime crew transiting under the Protocol must be transported by a Transport Provider endorsed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
The Protocol for Maritime Crew can found here.
Requirements for persons boarding ships
International ships are a nominated premises. Time at sea is not counted, and maritime crew on board are subject to full quarantine requirements, regardless of date of departure from last international port.
Only persons who are critically required for the purpose of safety or operation of the vessel may board the vessel (e.g. pilots, stevedores, specialist technicians, surveyors, Government officials carrying out their duties).
If critically required to board a vessel, workers MUST comply with the precautions as outlined below:- Wear appropriate PPE;
- Maintain physical distancing;
- Sanitise hands frequently and maintain good hygiene;
- Avoid contact/interaction with crew to the greatest extent possible;
- Do NOT stay onboard ship overnight;
- Only to remain on vessel for the time necessary to complete the required work;
- Avoid using shared facilities on the vessel (this includes food cooked on board and eating or drinking from ship cutlery);
- Present for testing if symptoms develop in the following 14 days.
Failure to comply with all of the above requirements may result in mandatory 14 days hotel quarantine.
Compliance with these requirements are critical to protect the lives and livelihoods of port workers and all Queenslanders. |
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Entry to Queensland - Maritime workers (non maritime crew) |
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There have been two recent instances where maritime industry workers (non-maritime crew) have illegally entered Queensland from a COVID-19 hotspot under Freight border passes, or Specialist Worker border passes (without an approved specialist worker exemption). These matters have been referred to Queensland Police for quarantining of the persons, and consideration of enforcement action.
Important – Freight/logistics border passes (F Passes) do not apply to maritime workers. (they only apply to on-road logistics, such as truck drivers)
Specialist Workers in the maritime industry (such as specialist technicians) who are not maritime crew may still enter Queensland if they have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days. However, application must be made and approved by Queensland Health. Strict criteria applies as follows: - the services provided by the person are needed in Queensland; and
- the services provided by the person cannot be obtained in Qld or a non-hotspot; and
- the services must be provided without delay; and
- the person must be physically present in Queensland to provide the services; and
- the person's employer or business has a quarantine management plan in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.
It should be noted that specialist worker exemptions are extraordinary, and organisations are expected to look at all operational, relocation, workforce planning solutions, or alternative sourcing of services before applying for exemptions.
Specialist worker exemptions are only granted when all of the above criteria are met, which is very rare. Any conditions that Queensland Health as part of any endorsements must also be complied with. |
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Quarantine and Shore Leave for Seafarers |
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Quarantine for Seafarers - Government Hotel Quarantine
All maritime crew must use government quarantine facilities. This is to ensure sufficient security overlay and public health considerations, consistent with Queensland's quarantine requirements.
Further information on Government Hotel Quarantine requirements for seafarers and notices for Shipping agents refer to previous General Manager update.
Shore Leave for Maritime Crew Not Permitted
Under QLD Health Directives and Protocols, shore leave is not permitted. This includes vessels that have been underway for more than 14 days since last overseas port as sea time is no longer counted. Crew are only permitted to disembark a vessel and proceed ashore for medical appointments and crew changes coordinated through MSQ, as well as to the wharf for general vessel operations |
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Brisbane International Airport |
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Departing Off-Signers
When arriving at the Brisbane International Airport, off-signing maritime crew must be in possession of, and able to produce, documentation permitting them to enter transit countries and final destinations. Agents must ensure that each mariner is in possession of this documentation including the required number of copies of each document. For example, some destinations in India require 4 copies of certain documents.
It should be noted that failure to have the relevant documentation may result in mariners being turned away by airlines and returned to a quarantine hotel.
Please ensure you are aware of the entry requirements of each country prior to arrival.
Arriving On-Signers
Maritime Crew and Transport Operators collecting Maritime Crew at the Brisbane International Airport?must note the pickup locations here.
Maritime Crew will be escorted from the internal staging area to their dedicated transport by Queensland Police/ Australian Defence Force Personnel.?
Please see here notification outlining the process and location of the drop off zone for Mariners, noting there is no change to the current arrivals process and pick up area for arriving crew. |
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Queensland Health will test all offsigning maritime crew who are required to quarantine in government nominated accommodation, for any duration of time.
If an additional COVID-19 test is required within 72 hrs of a departing flight, Queensland Health will arrange this test upon request from the agent. Requests should be forwarded to MSQ.HLO@msq.qld.gov.au
Queensland Health will consider other methods of COVID-19 testing not within the current regime on a case by case basis. Requests will need to be forwarded to MSQ.HLO@msq.qld.gov.au for consideration.
Offsigning maritime crew members may leave hotel quarantine prior to receiving a test result to immediately depart Australia by air (no domestic connecting flights). However, if a negative test result is a flight requirement, agents will need to allow sufficient time for test results to be returned 72 hours between arrival and departure from the quarantine hotel is recommended.
Failure to allow sufficient time for return of test results may result in the risk of missed flights and subsequent rescheduling/additional costs.
Queensland Health will cover the costs for COVID-19 tests. Agents will not be invoiced. |
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Queensland Travel Declaration and Border Declaration Pass |
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From 1am AEST Saturday 19 June 2021 you must complete a declaration to enter Queensland from anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 in Queensland and manage outbreaks, the Queensland Government has put in place declaration requirements for all travel into Queensland from interstate and New Zealand (on quarantine free flights).
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There are now two types of declarations: You must complete the right declaration for your situation before you travel to enter Queensland. If conditions change or you need to update your travel details, you'll need to complete a new declaration with updated details. Queensland residents must also complete a declaration if they are returning home from interstate or New Zealand.
There are some limited exceptions that apply to the Queensland Travel Declaration, including if you are a Queensland or New South Wales Border zone (blue on the map) resident who has only been in the New South Wales border zone or Queensland in the last 14 days and you enter Queensland by road (if you enter by air or sea you will need to make a declaration). You must not have been to an interstate exposure venue (Opens in new window) or COVID-19 hotspot (Opens in new window) in the last 14 days.
An endorsed Crew Changeover Checklist also functions as a Queensland Travel Declaration or Queensland Border Declaration Pass for maritime crew who are entering Queensland to join or sign off a vessel under the Maritime Protocol.
Further information about the Queensland Travel Declaration or Queensland Border Declaration Pass can be found at https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/travelling-to-queensland |
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Queensland International Arrivals Registration Form |
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Shipping agents are reminded that all international arrivals (including maritime crew) must complete a Queensland International Arrivals Registration form at least 3 days prior to arrival in Queensland.
When registration is completed, a QR Code is issued. Shipping agents are asked to please provide this QR code to seafarers and inform them that they need to produce it to Queensland Police at the airport.
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Enhanced Reporting Measures |
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The below countries are subject to enhanced reporting protocols to ensure the mitigation measures at place in ports, specifically governing the interaction between seafarers and shoreside personnel, is tightly managed, the enhanced reporting protocols can be viewed here.
This additional measure assists to ensure the welfare of seafarers, pilots, other maritime workers and the Queensland community. Vessels arriving in Queensland pilotage areas within 14 days from overseas departures or transits and ships that have carried out a crew change within the past 14 days.
Malaysia, Philippines, Japan, Papua New Guinea and?Indonesia?are subject to enhanced reporting protocols to ensure the mitigation measures at place in ports, specifically governing the interaction between seafarers and shoreside personnel, is tightly managed, the enhanced reporting protocols can be viewed?here.?This additional measure assists to ensure the welfare of seafarers, pilots, other maritime workers and the Queensland community.? The table below shows a comparison of reported cases in the last fortnight of countries within 14 days travel from Australia. |
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International Vessel Movement |
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| Vessel Movement and ExemptionsSince January 31 2020, 19,509 vessels have entered Queensland waters. Over the course of the seven days (1200 Friday 18 June 2021 - 1200 Friday 25 June), 284 vessels have entered Queensland port pilotage areas or Reef and Torres Straits.
Exemptions granted for Vessels
As of 1200 25 June 2021, three vessels currently hold an exemptions from the General Managers direction issued as of 18th March and has continued as scheduled. Since 18 March 2020, 101 requests for exemptions have been received with 85 approved. |
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Completed QLD Crew Changes - Last 7 Days |
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Over the past 7 days, 18 June 2021 - 25 June 2021 270 international crew have conducted crew changeovers in a Queensland port in accordance with the CHO mandated protocol, these change outs were conducted between 49 ships.
The table below breaks down on signers and off signers for Queensland ports over the last 7 days. MSQ's crew change over report dashboard is updated daily, Monday-Friday at 09:30am. |
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Medical Assistance Ashore |
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| Seafarer welfare is in the uppermost of our minds at all times and MSQ is committed to working collectively with all stakeholders to assist with crew changes and medical requirements. With the complexity of the various COVID-19 requirements this can at times be challenging. Agents are reminded of the importance of welfare providers being notified in the event seafarers require hospitalisation ashore. Procedure for: Maritime crew seeking medical attention must be transported by Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS). If QAS are not available, Qld Health may authorise other modes of transport. Over the past seven days, 9 seafarers have utilised the 'Non-life threatening medical assistance ashore' process.
Since MSQ commenced the process to assist seafarers travelling ashore for non-COVID health checks and appointments, there have been 570 applications successfully processed to date. |
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Seafarer Support and Appeals |
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Seafarer Welcome Packs
It can be a daunting experience for our seafarers, who travel from all over the world, when they arrive in Queensland and are placed in hotel quarantine. Each seafarer speaks varying levels of English.
To ensure our seafarers have all the resources they need available to them, Queensland Health has developed a Maritime Crew Support info sheet that has been translated into 9 of the most prevalent languages amongst seafarers. |
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Keep up to date for COVID-19 maritime information and updates on MSQ's website.
To receive the MSQ COVID-19 updates, click here to subscribe.
Keep safe,
Angus Mitchell
General Manager (Maritime Safety Queensland)
Department of Transport and Main Roads |
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