Chinese Embassy in PH lists COVID testing facilities for Filipino seamen

Chinese Embassy in PH lists COVID testing facilities for Filipino seamen
Merlina Hernando-Malipot November 9, 2020 https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/09/chinese-embassy-in-ph-lists-covid-testing-f...

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration reminded Filipino seafarers that the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has issued a list of designated COVID-19 testing facilities for them.

POEA said that the designated COVID-19 testing facilities cover all Filipino seafarers entering China. This is implemented as part of China’s “stricter protocols” against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The POEA said that since Sept. 24, all Filipino seafarers entering China from Philippine ports are “required to take nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 to be conducted by designated testing facilities within three days prior to their boarding.”

POEA noted that the list of the embassy-designated testing facilities can be downloaded at the official website of Embassy of China in the Philippines through the link http://ph.china-embassy.org/chn/lsfw/P020201023392666292125.pdf.

“The said COVID-19 test is free of cost for the seafarers and must be shouldered by their respective agencies and employers,” POEA said.

POEA reminded all concerned licensed manning agencies to “furnish the embassy of the results of the COVID-19 tests of their respective seafarers prior to their embarkation.”

It explained that after taking the nucleic acid COVID-19 tests, all Filipino seafarers “must undergo a strict quarantine measures to further ensure the health and safety of concerned seafarers.”

Undergoing quarantine, POEA said, will also help “lessen the number of positive cases among Filipino seafarers arriving in the ports of China.”

The POEA said that all concerned individuals may refer to the detailed procedures for China-bound foreign passengers. The certified health declaration form may also be obtained by accessing http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/sgdt/t1821811.htm.