Transport Canada has advised this morning that Minister Alghabra signed the Interim Order No. 2 Respecting Vessel Restrictions and Vaccination Requirements Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on January 15, 2022, which has been revised to reflect the changes from a 14 to 10 day isolation period, starting on January 15, 2022.
Furthermore Transport Canada has updated supporting documentation regarding the federal vaccination mandate:
Ship Safety Bulletin No. 17/2021 – Measures for Persons (other than passengers) on Canadian Vessels and Foreign Passenger Vessels Operating in Canadian Waters to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19, which has been revised to reflect the changes from a 14 to 10 day isolation period, starting on January 15, 2022.
Ship Safety Bulletin No. 02/2022 – Updated guidelines respecting the mobility of asymptomatic, presumed non-Covid-19-carrying* seafarers in the marine sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been revised to reflect the changes from a 14 to 10 day isolation period, starting on January 15, 2022.
In addition, the measures concerning shore leave introduced on December 24, 2021 will remain in effect and be reassessed during the week of January 31, 2022.
Please note that COVID-19 and the Omicron variant continues to put significant strain on our health care workers and as a result the seafarer vaccination program is likely to see on-board vaccinations put on pause next week until current pressure on the provincial health care system is alleviated. The vaccination clinics are no longer designated walk-in clinics and we are working with each health authority to accommodate vaccinations on shore when requested. The Janssen (J&J) vaccine is not readily available at any of the clinics and the availabililty of boosters doses for seafarers is still undetermined. We are currently discussing other options for seafarer vaccinations with the Province of BC and we will provide an update as details unfold.