Circular Nº 4204/Add.11 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Directrices relativas a la protección de la salud, la repatriación y las disposiciones de viaje de la gente de mar, los pasajeros y otras personas que se encuentran a bordo de buques.
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION
4 ALBERT EMBANKMENT, LONDON SE1 7SR
Telephone: +44(0)20 7735 7611 | Facsimile: +44(0)20 587 3210
Subject: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Guidelines on protection of health, repatriation and travel arrangements for seafarers, passengers and other persons on board ships
The Secretary-General has received the Guidelines on protection of health, repatriation and travel arrangements for seafarers, passengers and other persons on board ships, prepared by the European Commission in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH)
The MDH, transmitted through the national single window, allows the competent authorities to check the health status of persons on board before entry into port.
Transmission deadlines for the MDH
| Scenario | Time of delivery |
|---|---|
| General rule | At the time the ship leaves the previous port. |
| Short voyage | If the duration of the voyage is less than 24 hours, at the time the ship leaves the previous port. |
| Unknown information | As soon as the information becomes available, if the port of call is unknown or changed. |
4-hour notification before arrival
Given the rapid spread of COVID-19 and its incubation period of up to 14 days, it is recommended to request the master to communicate the following information 4 hours before the estimated time of arrival:
- Total number of persons on board (crew and passengers).
- Number of persons suffering from COVID-19.
- Number of persons suspected of being infected.
