This revised advisory updates and cancels U.S. Maritime Advisory 2020-004

1. References: (a) U.S. Maritime Alert 2020-002A
                           (b) U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) 02-20

2. Issue: Reference (b) [available within the 2020 drop down at https://go.usa.gov/xdKRE] updates and cancels MSIB 01-20.

3. Guidance: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Warning Level 3 Travel Health Notice to avoid all nonessential travel to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) (see https://go.usa.gov/xdbSN) and the U.S. Department of State Level 4 Travel Advisory for all of the PRC (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) stating “Do not travel to China” (see https://go.usa.gov/xdbVd) remain in effect. The CDC Travel Warning contains precautions to take to protect travelers and others if one must travel to the PRC (excluding Hong Kong and Macau).

4. Vessel owners, operators, and local stakeholders are advised to review the maritime specific guidance contained in reference (b), which includes the following:

- Per 42 CFR 71.21, vessels destined for a U.S. port are required to report to the CDC any sick or deceased crew/passengers during the 15 days prior to arrival at a U.S. port. Guidance to vessels on reporting deaths and illnesses to the CDC can be found at: https://go.usa.gov/xdjmj. U.S. flagged commercial vessels are also advised to report ill crewmembers in accordance with the requirements of each foreign port called upon.

- Passenger vessels or any vessel carrying passengers that have been to the PRC (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) or embarked passengers who have been in the PRC (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) within the last 14 days will be denied entry into the United States. If all passengers exceed 14 days since being in the PRC (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) and are symptom free, the vessel will be permitted to enter the United States to conduct normal operations. These temporary measures are in place to safeguard the American public.

- Non-passenger commercial vessels that have been to the PRC (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) or embarked crewmembers who have been in the PRC (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) within the last 14 days, with no sick crewmembers, will be permitted to enter the U.S. and conduct normal operations, with restrictions. Crewmembers on these vessels will be required under COTP authority to remain aboard the vessel except to conduct specific activities directly related to vessel cargo or provisioning operations.

- The Coast Guard considers it a hazardous condition under 33 CFR 160.216 if a crewmember who was in the PRC (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) within the past 14 days is brought onboard the vessel during transit. This requires immediate notification to the nearest Coast Guard Captain of the Port.

- The Coast Guard will continue to review all “Notice of Arrivals” in accordance with current policies and process hazardous condition and 42 CFR 71.21 CDC reports as they are received. The Coast Guard will communicate any concerns stemming from these reports to their Coast Guard chain of command and the CDC quarantine station, who will coordinate with local health authorities.

- Vessel masters shall inform Coast Guard boarding teams of any ill crewmembers on board their vessel prior to the Coast Guard embarking.

- Local industry stakeholders, in partnership with their Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP), should review and be familiar with section 5310 Procedures for Vessel Quarantine and Isolation, and Section 5320 - Procedures for Security Segregation of Vessels in their Area Maritime Security Plan.

- Local industry stakeholders, in partnership with their COTP, should review and be familiar with their Marine Transportation System Recovery Plan.

5. The 2019-nCoV outbreak is an evolving situation. This advisory will be updated based on new developments that may impact mariners or maritime commerce.

6. Contact Information: Maritime industry questions about the guidance and requirements in this advisory should be communicated to the local U.S. Coast Guard COTP office or to a vessel’s appropriate COTP for next port of call.

7. Cancellation of Prior Advisories: This message will automatically expire on August 6, 2020.

For more information about U.S. Maritime Alerts and Advisories, including subscription details, please visit http://www.marad.dot.gov/MSCI.