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Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)

Notices

Measures to Address, Prevent and Combat the Spread of COVID-19 in the Sea Ports Directions, 2020

6. Foreign Crew Changes and Prohibition of Cruise Ships calling at Sea Ports

[Direction 6 Heading substituted by section 2 of Notice No. 895, GG43629, dated 20 August 2020]

 

(1) Foreign crew changes are permitted at all nine commercial ports.

 

(2)

(a) Signing-on crew must produce a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction ("PCR") test certificate or a valid certificate of COVID-19 negative test results, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel, from an accredited laboratory and in line with World Health Organization requirements at the first South African Port of Entry.
(b) In the event of a crew member's failure to produce a valid PCR test certificate, this will warrant quarantine, at the crew member's own cost.

 

(3)

(a) Signing-off crews are not required to produce a valid PCR test certificate if the vessel has not had crew changes or has not visited a foreign port within 10 days before arrival at a South African sea port.
(b) A crew member's failure to adhere to the requirement contemplated in paragraph (a), will warrant quarantine, at the crew member's own cost.

 

(4)

(a) Foreign crew may layover at a designated quarantine facility for a period not exceeding seven days, at their own cost, but must, immediately after this period has lapsed, proceed directly to Ports of Entry and comply with South African Immigration requirements and Port Health protocols.
(b) Shore leave is allowed for Foreign Crew in line with South African Immigration requirements and Port Health protocols.

[Direction 6(4) substituted by section 2 of Notice No. 1280, GG43957, dated 3 December 2020]

 

(5) Cruise ships are prohibited from calling at any of the South African sea ports, except for the disembarkation of returning—
(a) South African crew;
(b) South African citizens; or
(c) holders of South African permanent residence permits.

 

[Direction 6 substituted by section 3 of Notice No. 1033, GG43753, dated 1 October 2020]