You can read below concerning the revised procedure for facilitating crew changes by the SHIPPING DEPUTY MINISTRY TO THE PRESIDENT in conjunction with the latest Decree by the Ministry of Health.

Circular No.: 17/2020

12 August 2020

Revised procedure for facilitating crew changes within the framework of the gradual relaxation of the Restrictive Measures applicable during the COVID- 19 Pandemic

Pursuant to the Decree issued by the Minister of Health titled «the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures against the Spread of COVID-19 Coronovirus Decree (No. 30)  of 2020» (P.Ι. 265/2020 published in the Official Gazette of the Republic on 19.06.2020, hereinafter “the Decree”, which is attached hereto), crew changes are possible at Cyprus ports provided certain conditions are met.

This Circular issued by the Shipping Deputy Ministry (“SDM”), which replaces Circular No. 13/2020 dated 12th of June 2020, provides information regarding the revised procedure for conducting crew changes in a practical and effective way, in accordance with the above Decree and the relevant instructions of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, regarding the operation of Ports and Port Facilities as well as the related protocol for crew changes. This procedure is as follows:

1. For crew changes involving crew members regardless of nationality which, in the 14 preceding days before their arrival in Cyprus, were in countries belonging only to categories A or B (according to categorisation of countries based on their epidemiological situation), or were onboard vessels which did not dock at any port, or which docked only at ports of countries belonging to categories A or B, no approval is required from the Shipping Deputy Ministry. In all such cases, crew changes should be executed in accordance with all existing measures and procedures applicable to persons arriving from countries belonging to categories A and B.

• In cases of crew changes on vessels and pleasure crafts for crew members entering the Republic of Cyprus through the airports that do not meet the provisions set out in paragraph 1 above, the shipping agents or the interested companies can apply for the granting of a special permission for entering the Republic of Cyprus at the official web electronic platform of the Republic of Cyprus (https://www.cyprusflightpass.gov.cy), field “Special Permissions”. It is noted that, for the purposes of ensuring that the relevant decrees are met, applications for the granting of a special permission submitted directly by seafarers will not be accepted.

• In cases of crew changes on vessels or pleasure crafts for crew members that  are about to disembark/ discharge or crew members entering the Republic of Cyprus through the ports of the Republic of Cyprus that do not meet the provisions set out in paragraph 1 above, the shipping agents or the interested companies should submit their requests for approval at the Shipping Deputy Ministry electronically at the following email address: crewchanges@dms.gov.cy.

All requests submitted to the SDM should include the following information:

• Vessel Name and/ or IMO number
• Vessel location in the Republic of Cyprus
• Crew members’ names (on-signers and off-signers)
• Passport Number
• Nationality
• Crew members’ flight details and original country of departure
• Accommodation arrangements in the Republic of Cyprus (if applicable)

No approval is required for crew changes between vessels (which do not involve the embarkation/ disembarkation of any crew members).

• In cases where charter flights are organised for the transfer of crew members and/ or passengers, additional permission is required from the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works (“MTCW”) for the execution of such flights.

• The above procedures should be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Decree and of the protocol of the MTCW on crew changes. It is noted that the relevant provisions on crew changes can be found in paragraph 2.10 of the Decree. Provisions for the disembarkation of crew members can be found in paragraph 2.11 and provisions for the disembarkation from pleasure craft can be found in paragraph 2.13 of said Decree.

• Crew members entering the Republic of Cyprus through the airports of the Republic of Cyprus should fill in the “Cyprus Flight Pass” before boarding the aircraft at the official web electronic platform of the Republic of Cyprus (https://www.cyprusflightpass.gov.cy). Crew members that reside in a country/ or travel from a country/ or have been traveling in a country of category C in the preceding 14 days, in filling in the Cyprus Flight Pass, must select in the field “Passengers that meet the requirements for covid-19 test in Cyprus” the category of passengers “Persons, regardless of nationality, having a special permission by the Republic of Cyprus” and fill in the Special Permission reference number that has been obtained during the procedure described in paragraph 2 of this Circular.

R.A.A. 265/2020

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS

THIRD ANNEX PART I

REGULATORY ADMINISTRATIVE ACTS

Number 5302                    Friday, 19 June 2020                      1393

Number 265

THE INFECTIOUS DISEASES LAW, CAP. 260

Decree pursuant to section 6(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f)

The Minister of Health, in exercising the powers under section 6(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of the Infectious Diseases Law, Cap. 260, conferred on him by Decision of the Council of Ministers dated 10 March 2020, hereby issues the following Regulations.

1. These Regulations shall be referred to as the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures against the Spread of Covid-19 Coronavirus) Decree (No.30) of 2020.

• Whereas the protection of public health and the sanitary care system are the responsibility of the Republic with the aim of containing the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus disease, the protection of public health as well as the prevention of the possible collapse of the health system by any dissemination of the virus, taking into consideration the needs in human resources and logistical services that may be necessary to combat the rapid spread of the disease, and whereas the adoption of additional measures beyond the Regulations that have been issued by the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus) Regulations (No.1) to (No. 29) of 2020, has become imperative, and without prejudice to those of the Regulations which continue in force, and

Whereas, by Notice published in the Official Gazette of the Republic on the authorization of the Council of Ministers, the Minister of Health has declared the local districts of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Ammohostos and Paphos as being infected by the COVID-19 Coronavirus, pursuant to article 4 of the Infectious Diseases Law, Cap. 260, the following Regulations are issued:

• The operation of indoor children’s playgrounds is allowed as of 06:00hrs of 24 June 2020.
  • Regulation 2(5) of the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus) Regulation (No.20), is hereby deleted and abolished.
  • Regulations 2.10 and 2.23 of the Infectious Diseases (Determination  of Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus) Regulation (No.28), are hereby deleted and abolished.
  • Populous events, gatherings, demonstrations, parades,  music concerts in public and private spaces, as well as open-air fairs and festivals are prohibited.
  • The presence and gatherings of persons in houses and public spaces is allowed, provided that the safety and health guidelines of the Ministry of Health are upheld.
  • Subsection (iii) of Regulation 2.6 of the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus) Decree (No.28), of 2020 is hereby deleted and abolished.
  • As of 00.01 of 20th June 2020, the entry into the Republic shall be allowed, regardless of nationality, from categories A and B countries, in accordance with the categorization of countries, based on the risk assessment, as these are announced by the Ministry of Health subject to the following conditions:
• Passengers from category A countries will not be required to undergo molecular examination for the COVID-19 disease.
• Passengers from category B countries will be required to present documentary evidence that they have undertaken a molecular examination for the COVID-19 disease at a certified laboratory with a negative result, valid 72 hours prior to their departure.
• Passengers from category B Countries, where the authorities of the country evidently do not provide a molecular examination service for the COVID-19 disease, may carry out a molecular examination upon their arrival in the Republic, covering the cost themselves and remaining in compulsory self- isolation until the result is issued.
• Persons falling into the following categories and entering the Republic from Category B countries, may undertake the molecular examination upon their

arrival in the Republic, covering the cost themselves and remaining in compulsory self-isolation until the result is issued:

• Cypriot citizens residing permanently in the Republic, their alien spouses and their under-age children,
  • All those residing lawfully in the Republic.
• Persons arriving in Cyprus and are diagnosed positive to the COVID-19, shall remain in a state of compulsory isolation (quarantine), subject to the  medical protocol of the Ministry of Health.

• (a) As of 00.01 of 20th June 2020 the entry into the Republic shall be allowed of the following persons from countries not coming under Categories A and B, in accordance with the categorization of countries, based on the risk assessment, as these are announced by the Ministry of Health:
  • Cypriot citizens residing permanently in the Republic, their alien spouses and their under-age children,
  • All persons residing lawfully in the Republic.

• Persons regardless of nationality, whose presence in the Republic is approved by a competent medical organ, due to their professional or scientific capacity, in order to strengthen the effort to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.
  • Patients, regardless of nationality, who have received treatment at an approved private or public hospital/medical centre in the Republic, which is advisable that they should continue, and
  • First degree relatives residing lawfully in the Republic and/or are financially active in the Republic (wife, children, parents) for the purpose of family reunification.

• Approval of entry visa to the Republic for persons falling into category (v) is granted following an application to the Committee, which has been appointed by the Council of Ministers at its Meeting dated 17 June 2020.
• The entry into the Republic of persons coming under categories (i) to (v) is subject to the following conditions:

• The passenger either undergoes a molecular examination for the COVID-19 disease, with a negative indication, valid 72 hours prior to his departure and presents relevant evidentiary material, or undergoes a molecular examination upon his arrival in the Republic, covering the cost himself and remaining at a place designated to them until the result is issued and thereafter remains in a state of self- isolation for 14 days,

• All persons arriving in Cyprus who are diagnosed positive to the COVID-19 disease, shall remain in a state of compulsory isolation (quarantine) for 14 days, subject to the medical protocol of the Ministry of Health, and
• The cost of the air ticket, if any, is borne by each passenger, save those persons who have been sent by the Republic abroad for medical reasons, as well as persons who fall into category (iii).
  • For cruise-ship passengers, who enter the Republic through the lawful points of entry by sea, the same procedures shall apply, which are provided for in Regulation 2.7 of this Decree, as they apply for persons entering the Republic through airports, depending on the category in which the departure country belongs, provided that they have docked during the 14 preceding days in a country that belongs only to categories A or B and provided the safety and health guidelines of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping are upheld.
  • As of 00.01 of 20th June 2020 the entry into or/and departure from  the Republic shall be allowed of persons who are crew members of trading vessels or crew members on platforms carrying out exploratory drillings in the Exclusive Economic Zones of States with which the Republic has established diplomatic relations or crew members of laid-up cruise-ships or crew members of pleasure boats, which are either docked in the harbours of the Republic or arrive by other commercial flights from countries not belonging to categories A and B, in accordance with the categorization of countries, based on the risk assessment, as reviewed by the Ministry of Health, under the following conditions:
• The said persons are placed in a state of self-isolation 14 days prior to their arrival,
• They are subjected to a molecular examination for the COVID-19 disease before their arrival, which must be negative and present relative evidentiary material or if this is not feasible upon their arrival and if the examination is positive, they remain in a state of compulsory isolation (quarantine), subject to the medical protocol of the Ministry of Health, and
• The company for which they work or/and the agent who has undertaken the change of crew, undertakes the transport of the crew directly from the boat to the airport and the transfer of crews arriving by air from the airport to the port of departure, under strict protection measures. If there is no synchronism between the arrival of the ship and the arrival of the flight, or if the results of the molecular examinations are pending,  the company or/and the agent make arrangements with the Authorities for the stay of the crew in specified accommodation, under a state of

isolation, until the arrival of the flight or the ship. Wherever possible, the disembarking crew shall remain on board until the date of flight arrival:

Provided that, for persons already working as crewmembers aboard vessels, which are docked in Cypriot ports and which will depart from the Republic, only subsection (iii) shall apply in their case.

• As of 00.01 of 20th June 2020, the entry and stay in the Republic shall be allowed of sailors and crew members of ships, who arrive on vessels that are docked in the harbours of the Republic, under the following conditions:

• For the sailors and crew members of vessels, which arrive in the Republic from Category A countries and provided they have not docked during the preceding 14 days in a country not belonging to Category A, no molecular examination would be required for the COVID-19 disease.
• The sailors and crew members of vessels arriving in the Republic from Category B countries, provided they have not called within the preceding 14 days at a port of a country not belonging to the categories A and B, in accordance with the categorization, shall present a negative molecular examination certificate for the COVID-19 disease, valid 72 hours before the departure of the vessel, or the said persons shall be subjected to a molecular examination at the place of anchor and they shall remain on board the vessel until the result is issued.
• For vessels arriving in the Republic from countries which do not belong to the Categories A and B, the sailors and crew members:
  • Are obliged to have completed 14 days in self-isolation and filled out a particular form issued by the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Works, as part of the protocol for change of crew,
  • Are obliged to undergo molecular examination for the COVID-19 disease upon disembarkation,
  • These persons shall remain on the boat or in places of compulsory isolation (quarantine) until the result of the examination is out.
• If the persons referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c) above, are tested positive to the COVID-19 disease, they shall remain in a state of compulsory isolation (quarantine), subject to the medical protocol of the Ministry of Health, and
• Concerning the conducting of the molecular examinations, the transfer procedure and the isolation of the said persons, until the issuing of the examination results, the procedures provided in Regulation 2.10(iii) will be followed.

• As of 00.01 of 20th June 2020, the entry into the Republic shall be allowed of persons from countries, which do not come under categories A and B regardless of nationality, for the purpose of implementing public projects or other professional obligations, following an approval by the Committee, which has been appointed by the Council of Minister at its Meeting dated 17 June 2020, subject to the following conditions:

• If the period of stay in the Republic does not exceed 4 days:
  • The said persons shall be subjected to molecular examination of the COVID-19 disease, unless they produce a negative molecular examination certificate for the COVID-19 disease, valid 72 hours prior to departure.
  • If the molecular examination is carried out upon their arrival, these persons shall, until the examination result is out, remain in places of compulsory isolation,
  • If the persons are tested positive to the COVID-19 they shall remain in a state of compulsory isolation subject to the medical protocol of the Ministry of Health.
  • The said persons shall take precautionary and self-protection measures in the place where they are staying.
• If the period of stay in the Republic exceeds 4 days:
  • Such persons are subjected to a molecular examination for the COVID-19 examination, unless they present a negative molecular examination certificate for the COVID-19 disease, valid 72 hours prior to departure.
  • If the molecular examination is carried out upon their arrival, these persons shall remain in places of compulsory isolation until the examination result is out.
  • If the persons are tested positive to the COVID-19 disease, they shall remain in as state of compulsory isolation, subject to the medical protocol of the Ministry of Health, and
  • These persons shall remain in a state of self-isolation for 14 days.

• With the exceptions of Regulations 2.9 to 2.11 of this Decree, the following shall apply as of 00.01 of 20th June 2020, to persons entering lawfully the Republic from the legal points of entry by sea:

• For pleasure boats arriving in the Republic from Category A countries, no molecular examination or presentation of negative molecular examination certificate shall be required.

• Persons aboard pleasure boats arriving in the Republic from Category B countries shall be required to present a negative molecular examination certificate for the COVID-19 disease, valid 72 hours  prior to the departure of the vessel, or a molecular examination shall be carried out on such persons at the place of anchorage, in this case remaining on board the boat until the result has been issued.
  • Persons on board pleasure boats arriving from countries not falling under categories A and B and which during the 14 days preceding their arrival have not docked at any port or docked only at the ports of countries not belonging to categories A and B, shall undergo molecular examination for the COVID-19 disease upon their arrival at the place of anchorage; in such case they shall remain on board the boat until the result of the examination is out, and
  • The persons of categories (ii) and (iii) who arrive in the Republic and are tested positive for the COVID-19 disease, shall remain in a state of compulsory isolation (quarantine), subject to the medical protocol of the Ministry of Health.

Provided that, the administrators of the legal points of entry by sea shall see to it that those on board comply with all of the above.

• Persons entitled to enter the Republic by virtue of the Vienna Convention and which arrive in the Republic from countries beyond Category A, either take a molecular examination for the COVID-19 disease with a negative result, valid 72 hours prior their departure, or carry out the molecular examination upon their arrival in the Republic and remain in a place designated to them until the result has been issued.

• This Decree shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic.