(IMPORTANT) Priority vaccination for local workers in maritime and port sectors (further advice)
Circular Ref: A(21)36
Issue Date: 24 Feb 2021
I am writing further to the Association circular A(21)34 this morning, concerning the priority vaccination arrangements for the maritime and port sectors.
The Association has received some member enquiries, and followed up with the government.
I set out below the government responses:
- Companies in the maritime and port sectors could nominate their local employees who may have contacts with sea crew onboard ocean-going vessels or river-trade vessels during their course of operation for the priority vaccination programme.
- While the government has already issued letters to over 500 shipping companies, agents and other relevant maritime services companies to explain the policy, the list may not be all-inclusive.
- Hence, if any of the Association members have not received the government letter (in the past two days) but consider their employees eligible under the priority vaccination programme, please contact the Marine Department or call the hotline on 3142 2366 for advice.
- Separately, the government is liaising directly with Hong Kong resident seafarers who will go onboard ocean-going vessels shortly (for instance, the Vocational Training Council graduates who will go onboard ocean-going vessels for their cadetships) to explain the arrangement.
- Last but not least, it should be noted that to be effective, the two doses of a vaccination must be taken within a specific schedule (say, 28-day apart between the two doses for Sinovac, and 21-day apart for BioNTech). Hence, employers may wish to remind their seafarers to complete the two doses before departing Hong Kong for their mission.
For more details, members may also refer to the government website:https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/zh-HK/
Should members have any further queries, please feel free to contact the Association secretariat. We would be most ready to assist.