(A summary of information released by the Northwest Seaport Alliance.)
The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is causing an outbreak of respiratory illnesses originating in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in early December 2019. On January 30, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the virus outbreak a global health emergency.
The following summarizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) news release in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard. Guidance applies to vessel owners/operators and local stakeholders as of February 3, 2020.
Vessels docking in a U.S. port are required to report illnesses of crew/passengers to the CDC 15 days prior to arrival. U.S. flagged commercial vessels are also advised to report illnesses when arriving in foreign ports.
Non-passenger commercial vessels that have been to China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) or embarked crew members who have been in China (excluding Hong Kong or Macau) within the last 14 days, with no ill crews, will (1) be permitted to enter the U.S. and conduct normal operations but (2) crews will be required to remain aboard the vessel except to conduct specific cargo operations.
The Seattle Seafarers Center (SSC) will not board vessels that have been to China, excluding Hong Kong and Macau, but will shuttle personal necessities to the security gates as requested by the crews. Normal operations will continue with other commercial vessels. This policy will be in effect beginning February 4, 2020 and continue until CDC ends all port restrictions due to 2019-nCoV.
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