Transport Canada has released Ship Safety Bulletin 06/2020 Marine Crew Deemed Essential. This serves to confirm that an exemption for crew members is now formally place in the travel restrictions in the Minimizing Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 in Canada Order.
The exemption permits healthy crew members who are joining an international vessel in Canada to board an international flight into Canada provided that they possess valid seafarer identity document. This information has been shared with international airline carriers and it is recommended that a copy of this Bulletin be shared and on hand with travelling crew members.
The Chamber of Shipping is working with key partners in developing best practices and the necessary precautions during crew changes to protect the health of individuals involved in crew transfers and their subsequent interaction.