The Otago Daily Times received a report of crew members from a ship in port walking through town at the weekend and Mr Winders confirmed the crew of a bulk ship, leaving the port today, had been granted approval by the Ministry of Health to go ashore.
He said Port Chalmers residents could have seen the crew of the Lefkada who were given approval by Ministry of Health to go ashore "as their voyage to NZ was longer than 28 days at sea".
"... we’re responding as per the current rules of engagement," Mr Winders said.
"Up until a week ago there were no ships’ crew allowed off, so there have been some changes in the regulations in respect of some ships crew coming on."
Mr Winders yesterday provided an updated Ministry of Health maritime border quarantine isolation guideline which showed people wanting to disembark a vessel would have to remain in quarantine or isolation on the vessel for at least 14 days after arrival — except where the ship had been at sea for more than 28 consecutive days; and during this time no-one had contact with anyone other other than those on board when it most recently departed; the Customs and Excise Act 2018 requirements for the arrival of craft and disembarkation had been adhered to; and a medical officer was satisfied no-one on board had displayed symptoms of Covid-19.
