Vaccinated crew may still need to self-isolate or face £1,000 fine, Nautilus advises
29 October 2021
Nautilus International is advising members who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to find out whether they need to self-isolate when requested by NHS Test and Trace.
The rules on self-isolation are currently different for those who have been vaccinated by the NHS, compared with those vaccinated by a non-UK health service. This applies to both UK seafarers and those with a different nationality.
The matter came to the Union's attention after officials were contacted by a yacht crew member who returned to the UK for a holiday, and who was advised by Track and Trace to self-isolate for 10 days after someone on his flight tested positive for the illness.
The crew member pointed out that he should be exempt as he was double vaccinated, as per the rule changes on 16 August 2021.
However, this rule change currently only applies if you have been fully vaccinated by the NHS, whereas he had been vaccinated in an EU country.
Failure to self-isolate can result in a £1,000 fine.
Seafarers travelling to the UK in the course of work or while being repatriated are exempt from the need to self-isolate, as are those travelling for a holiday in the UK who can demonstrate that they have been fully vaccinated by the NHS.
Tags
More articles
Rollout of vital Covid-19 support to Indian seafarers a success, says Sailors' Society
Maritime welfare charity Sailors' Society has successfully distributed 5,000 Covid Care Kits, helping more than 26,000 Indian seafarers and their families in the fight against Covid-19 this year.
Growing risk of seafarer exodus revealed in latest Seafarers Happiness Index
Seafarer happiness seems to have returned to pre-pandemic levels, but fundamental welfare issues such as leave and poor treatment risk a long-term exodus of seafarers according to the latest Seafarers Happiness Index from The Mission to Seafarers.