Revision of crew change procedures

Update 5 October 2021: The travel ban on the UK, India and South Africa has been lifted through Ordinance 658 of 5 October 2021. Ordinance 655/2021 and its preceding Ordinance 657/2021 are now revoked. Read more.

Following recommendations of the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), on 24 June 2021, the federal government issued Ordinance 655, updating the exceptional and temporary restrictive measures for the entry of foreign nationals into the country. Procedures for crew changes have also been revised.

Novelties

The revised regulation included a procedure already provided for in ANVISA’s Technical Note 5/2021, which is the need for maritime crewmembers to provide proof of an RT-PCR test for COVID-19, with negative or undetectable results, performed 72 hours prior to joining the vessel or disembarking for repatriation.

Another novelty introduced by the revised Ordinance is the need for travellers who have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days but are asymptomatic and persistent with detectable RT-PCR testing. Travellers in this category will be allowed to enter Brazil upon presentation of i) two detectable RT-PCR results, with an interval of at least 14 days between them and the latter performed up to 72 hours before boarding at the airport of origin; ii) antigen test with a negative or undetectable result, after the last detectable RT-PCR report; and iii) medical report, issued in Portuguese, Spanish or English, certifying that the individual is asymptomatic and fit to travel. The report must contain the intended date of travel and the name and signature of the physician.

Exceptions

The temporary travel restrictions do not apply to:

• Brazilian nationals and foreign residents;
• Foreign professional on a mission at the service of an international organisation;
• Foreign employee accredited to the Brazilian government;
• Foreign spouse, partner, son, father, or curator of a Brazilian national;
• Foreign nationals whose entry is explicitly authorised by the Brazilian government in the public interest or for humanitarian reasons;
• Bearer of the National Migration Registry (RMN); and
• Cargo transportation by any means of conveyance

Crew change and shore leave

Restrictions do not apply to maritime crew changes and repatriations unless the seafarer has come from or passed through the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, South Africa, and India within the last fourteen days, in which case they must undergo a 14-day quarantine in another country before entering Brazilian territory.

Off-signers: seafarers are allowed to disembark for medical care or repatriation related to operation issues or after the termination of their contract of employment, under the following conditions:

• A financial undertaking of the shipping agents bearing the costs incurred with the seafarers during their stay in Brazil;
• RT-PCR laboratory test for COVID-19 with a negative or inconclusive result performed not later than 72 hours prior to disembarking;
• ANVISA’s prior consent; and
• Presentation of the corresponding air tickets

On-signers: seafarers who arrive to work aboard vessels and platforms operating in Brazilian waters are exempt from the travel ban, as long as they meet the migratory requirements appropriate to status as a seafarer, including having an entry visa when necessary, and provide:

• A financial undertaking of the shipping agents bearing the costs incurred with the seafarers during their stay in Brazil;
• Digital or printed Traveller’s Health Declaration (Declaração de Saúde do Viajante – DSV)
• RT-PCR laboratory test for COVID-19 with a negative or inconclusive result performed not later than 72 hours prior to boarding at the airport of origin; and
• Prior consent from ANVISA

Shore leave: no shore leave is permitted, except for technical or operations reasons associated with the vessel’s operation.

Medical disembark: all seafarers are allowed to disembark for emergency medical or dental treatment upon medical recommendation and consent from ANVISA.

Vessel quarantine: if a crew member on board is COVID-19 positive, the entire crew must be tested and the vessel quarantined for 14 days, counted from the onset of symptoms or the positive test date. If other cases are detected while the quarantine is in progress, it will be started over. Those infected with COVID-19 must be quarantined in their cabins, following ANVISA protocols, and disembarkation will only be allowed for emergency medical assistance.

Ordinance 654 of 28 May 2021 has been revoked.

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