On 25th September 2020, a joint Notice was promulgated by the Ministry of Transport, General Administration of Customs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on epidemic prevention on crew changes for international trading ships.

Key points of the joint Notice are as following:

1. The Notice applies to all international trading ships to Chinese ports.
2. Crew changes conducted at last port of call and within 14 days before the ships arrive in Chinese ports, all signing on crew members are required to hold NAT negative proof taken 3 days before boarding the ships by medical institutions as designated by the Chinese embassies and consulates.
3. Ships, their shipping companies or agents are required to submit copies of NAT negative proof of signing on crew members at last port and signing on crew members boarding 14 days before the ships arrive in the first port of China.
4. Any violations of the Notice and other relevant provisions and regulations of the people's Republic of China will result in the delay of the ships operations. Serious violations will be subject to administrative and legal responsibility.
5. Crew members signing on at last port/place or signing on 14 days before the ship arrives at Chinese ports without NAT negative proof or holding fake NAT negative proof which resulting in the spreading or the threat of spreading COVID-19 will be subject to criminal accusations in China.
5. This Notice comes into force immediately at the date of promulgation.

The joint Notice apparently sets more strict requirements for ships trading to Chinese ports with signing on crew members at last port of call or crew changes conducted within 14 days before the ship arrives in the first Chinese ports.

I attach the Chinese version of the full joint Notice for your easy reference.