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Seafarers Travelling to the UK (Latest Covid-19 rules)

Seamen and masters and inspectors and surveyors of ships

Before travel to England

You need to complete the passenger locator form before you travel to the UK, if you travel in a part of the vessel that is accessible to any passenger for any part of the journey.

You do not need to complete the passenger locator form if you travel in a part of the vessel that is not accessible to passengers or you travel on a vessel that does not carry passengers, for example, fishing boats.

You do not need to take a COVID-19 test before you travel to England if you are a seafarer or fisherman, inspector or surveyor of ships due to work on a vessel or need to transit the UK to join or leave a vessel. You should show a valid SID if you have one.

After arrival in England

Green list countries

Applies if you have only been in a green list country in the 10 days before you arrive in England.

You must take a COVID-19 test on day 2 or earlier after you arrive, if you intend to stay in England for 2 days or longer.

Amber list countries

Applies if you been in an amber list country, but not a red list country, in the 10 days before you arrive in England.

If you are in England for more than 2 days, you are required to undertake lateral flow tests (LFTs) on days 2, 5 and 8.

Constant travellers who enter and leave England on a daily basis, or at intervals of no greater than 2 days should undertake an LFT at least once every 3 days.

LFTs can be accessed and made available at the workplace, in the community or at home.

If you live in the UK you do not need to quarantine.

If you live overseas you must quarantine in your accommodation while in England, except while you are undertaking the exempt activity or travelling as part of your work.

Red list countries

Applies if you have been in a red list country in the 10 days before you arrive in England.

You are permitted to enter the UK and you do not need to quarantine in a government approved hotel or take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8, even if you have been in a country on the red list in the previous 10 days.

If you live in the UK you do not need to quarantine. If you live overseas you must quarantine in your accommodation while in England, except while you are undertaking the exempt activity or travelling as part of your work.

When you are in a red list country you should take additional precautions to minimise contact with others.

Evidence

If you work on a ship, including fishermen, you should show a Seafarer’s Identification Document (SID) if you have one.

If you don’t have a SID, you can show your joining papers, seafarer’s employment agreement or a seafarer’s discharge book (Continuous Certificate of Discharge) instead. Alternatively, you could show a basic training certificate or declaration from the registered owners of the vessel that you are a crew member.

Applies to:

Seamen and masters as defined in section 313(1) Merchant Shipping Act 1995, maritime pilots as defined in para 22(1) of schedule 3A of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 where they have travelled to the United Kingdom in the course of their work or been repatriated, and inspectors and surveyors of ships appointed under section 256 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 or by a government of a relevant British possession as defined in section 313(1) of that Act where they have travelled to the United Kingdom in the course of their work.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules#seamen-and-masters-and-inspectors-and-surveyors-of-ships