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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider China requires COVID-19 antibody test for Pinoy seafarers

China requires COVID-19 antibody test for Pinoy seafarers

Published Dec 14, 2020 04:34 pm

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reminded that aside from a nucleic acid test for COVID-19, all Filipino seafarers entering China are now required to take a COVID-19 IgM antibody test, which is an additional requirement set by China for stricter protocol against the pandemic.

(JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

POEA said that starting early last month, “all Filipino seafarers entering China from Philippine ports are required to take both nucleic acid tests and IgM anti-body test for COVID-19 within 48 hours before boarding the vessels.”

These COVID-19 tests, POEA explained, must be conducted by designated testing facilities within three days prior to their boarding. The list of the embassy-designated testing facilities can be downloaded at the official website of the Embassy of China in the Philippines.

POEA said that the COVID-19 tests are “free of cost” for the seafarers and must be shouldered by their agencies and employers. “All concerned licensed manning agencies must also furnish the embassy of the results of the COVID-19 tests of their respective seafarers prior to their embarkation,” the POEA added.

 Aside from taking both COVID-19 tests, POEA reminded that “Filipino seafarers must undergo strict quarantine measures to further ensure the health and safety of concerned seafarers, as well as to lessen the number of positive cases among Filipino seafarers arriving in the ports of China.”

POEA said that China-bound foreign passengers may retrieve the detailed procedure for obtaining their certified health declaration form through http://ph.chinaembassy.org/eng/sgdt/t1821811.htm.

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