Coronavirus Concerns: Federal Agencies Limit Travel and Trade; AAPA Establishes Federal POCs

To limit the spread of the Coronavirus from the Hubei region of China, the U.S. Government is imposing travel and trade restrictions from high-risk areas. The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin stating that vessels carrying passengers who have been in mainland China within the previous 14 days will be denied entry. Other vessels with crew members who have been to mainland China within the previous 14 days, with no sick crew members, will be permitted to enter and conduct normal operations, but crew members will be required to remain onboard with very limited exceptions. If a crew member who has been to mainland China within the previous 14 days is brought onboard a vessel in transit to the United States, the master must immediately notify the Coast Guard. For commercial travelers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is limiting entries from the affected regions to U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and their immediate family members. CBP has also set up additional screening at ports of entry.

If ports have specific questions or concerns about the government security measures and how ports can best prepare, they are advised to contact the U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Emergency Management at outbreakquestions@uscg.mil. Moreover, it is important to work with your local Captains of the Port (COTP), who will have all the latest news and resources. AAPA can also help facilitate questions or concerns with our Coast Guard and MARAD contacts.

China has effectively stopped all outbound shipments from the large port of Wuhan. Heavily reliant on Chinese imports from the affected region, the United States is experiencing a downturn in imports, that might have a larger economic impact. According to The Washington Post, the White House National Economic Council and the Council of Economic Advisers are jointly assessing both the potential short-term and long-term effects of the coronavirus.

Thank you to our government officials who work daily to keep us safe.