6 March 2020
Who does this notice affect?
This notice is of interest to all vessel masters and shipping agents who represent international commercial and non-commercial vessels for the purposes of Australian biosecurity clearance.
What has changed?
To assist the department in managing the Australian Government’s response to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Maritime Arrivals Reporting System (MARS) pre-arrival report (PAR) for commercial vessels, and the corresponding offline forms, have been revised.
The three additional mandatory novel coronavirus (COVID-19) PAR health questions have been revised to include countries that pose a risk of transmission to travellers arriving in Australia. The questions are revised as follows:
- Has the vessel left mainland China and/or Iran and/or Republic of Korea and/or Italy in the last 14 days?
- Has any person on the vessel felt mainland China and/or Iran and/or Republic of Korea and/or Italy in the last 14 days?
- Has any person on the vessel been in contact with a proven case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
The offline forms that have been revised are:
- Pre-arrival Report (PAR)
- Human Health Update
What do you need to do?
Complete your PAR in MARS as per usual. The three mandatory COVID-19 questions are in the Human Health section of the PAR in MARS.
Offline forms have been updated for use from Sunday 8 March 2020. It is only when using any the offline forms that you will need to download the latest versions available from the department’s website. Using the most current version of forms will minimise errors when submitting information into MARS.
Where can you find the forms?
The updated offline forms are available on the department’s website: MARS offline forms
Further information
Contact the department’s Maritime National Coordination Centre (MNCC) by email or phone
1300 004 605 (in Australia) or +61 8 8201 6185 (outside Australia).
Information and MARS supporting materials can be found on the department’s website under Vessels.
Contact the Department of Health www.health.gov.au for information regarding the Novel Coronavirus.