Crews of vessels from China can’t disembark in PH – PPA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on Tuesday said it would not allow the crew of any vessel from China and its Special Administrative Regions to disembark at any port in the Philippines in a bid to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019 nCoV ARD).

“We are banning the disembarkation of the crew of any vessel which called in China or any of its SARs within the 14-day period prior to its arrival in any Philippine port,” PPA General Manager Jar Santiago said in a statement.

“We also noted that vessel operators also change crew at some point in the voyage of the vessel, and if such case happens in the Philippines, the crew who will be replaced shall undergo strict quarantine period and only be allowed to go home if cleared by the Department of Health,” he added.

Santiago also noted the majority of its Philippine cargoes originate from hub ports in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

The PPA noted that the country heightened its operations in local and international gateways to stop the spread of the new virus, which caused hundreds of deaths in China.

READ: 80 patients now under investigation for new coronavirus – DOH

/atm