RESTRICTIONS on ships arriving in Newcastle from China, Iran, South Korea and Italy have been broadened to included the crews of all vessels.
Australian Border Force provided updated advice to the shipping industry on Tuesday, as part of the federal government's decision that all people entering Australia from Monday this week were to "self-isolate" for 14 days.
"The travel restrictions for mainland China, Iran, the Republic of Korea and Italy remain in place for all travellers including maritime crew," the new advice said.
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The new advice listed seven points for crews entering Australian ports to observe.
"All crew must remain on-board while the vessel is berthed in Australia," the list began.
"Crew are only able to disembark to conduct essential vessel functions and crew must wear personal protective equipment while performing these functions.
"These restrictions apply until 14 days has elapsed since the vessel departed the last port before Australia, unless crew are unwell or there is a suspected case of COVID-19 on-board.
"The period maritime crew spend at sea prior to their arrival in Australia counts towards the 14-day period of self-isolation. In practice, if a vessel has travelled for ten days since last being in a foreign port, the period of precautionary self-isolation for its crew members would be the remaining four days."
The new advice said all vessel masters must answer health screening questions when reporting their entry, and any vessel with reported ill people on board with the relevant symptoms would be physically inspected before being cleared to load or unload.
Maritime sources told the Newcastle Herald that for those ships engaged on regular runs between Asian ports and Newcastle, the "self-isolation" would likely take place during the voyage.
With waiting time to take coal from the Kooragang Island and Carrington coal terminals, ships from China would typically take 15 to 17 days to enter the port.
The main impact would likely be on ships coming from closer, such as the Pacific Islands, where they would likely be restricted from leaving during their entire stay in Newcastle.
A spokesperson for the Port of Newcastle said it was following official advice and requirements in managing the port during the coronavirus restrictions.
"We are working with all agencies involved in the movement of vessels, passengers, crew and cargo through the port, including vessel operators, Australian Border Force, Department of Agriculture and Port Authority of NSW," the spokesperson said.
The Border Force advice said harbour pilots (such as those in Newcastle) who met ships at sea and brought them into port would be supplied with personal protective equipment.
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