News

2021

10

May

Subject: Covid19 Update 7 May 21

Dear All, Good day. In continuation to our last update, see below the latest news for the awareness of all our seafarers. • To date, The Philippines has a total of 1,080,172 total cases with 17,991 fatalities as per latest data from the John Hopkins Corona Virus Resource Center. • There has been a slight decrease of positive cases the last week with daily cases being recorded at around 8,000 cases per day compared to the previous weeks. • The NCR + remains under the MECQ status until May 14, 2021 and there are still several restrictions of movement and opening of establishments in compliance to IATF protocols. • The crew change restrictions imposed in China, South Korea, Singapore, some ports in Australia and other Asian Countries remains a challenge to our operations and a latest restriction on vessels calling Indian Ports, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh restricting our seafarers from entering the country within 14 days of calling these countries has added up to our challenges. • Vaccination process for the Filipino people has already started and a total of 2,129,185 doses has already been administered and there are already 342,705 people fully vaccinated or a total percentage of 0.32% of the population has been fully inoculated . • Our Manning agency, together with Marina and other licensed Manning Agencies joined a virtual meeting with no less than Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the head of the vaccination program in the Philippines last May 4, 2021 and we are glad to inform you that through the efforts of The Maritime Industry Authority, the roll out of the vaccination program for the Filipino Seafarers is expected to be in full swing by June as the Philippine Government expects the arrival of about 10 million doses of vaccines around this time and it is worth to note that The Philippine Government recognizes the importance of the seafarers as key workers so we have been assured that priority will be given to the Filipino Seafarers and that plans are being established to achieve full inoculation as soon as possible. • Citizens classified under A4 which the Filipino Seafarers belong, have already started vaccination with the Cities of Parañaque, Caloocan, Pasig, Bacoor and Taguig confirmed to have started the vaccination of seafarers so we are encouraging all our seafarers to check with your local Government or start registering on line by searching on google the various on line vaccination registration platforms corresponding to your city of residence so that you are already registered and will be informed once vaccines are available in your locality. The entire Scorpio Group is one in supporting and encouraging all our seafarers to get vaccinated as we believe that vaccinations are a critical step in combatting the pandemic and protecting ourselves, our shipmates, and our families. People who has proof of vaccination is also beginning to get the benefits of having been vaccinated as they are given better access to travel in some parts of the world so there are obvious dividends on getting vaccinated so we are encouraging everyone to support this and get your shots as soon as feasible. Once again thank you, stay safe and get the vaccine!