Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to monitor public health restrictions introduced in response to the covid-19 pandemic in countries that supply seafarer (a) ratings and (b) officers to the UK shipping industry.

The Department is monitoring several intelligence sources in regard the actions of other States in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and is noting measures put in place that may affect the transit and transfer of all seafarers and access to shore leave.

We are in regular contact with ship operators on the effects of pandemic on business.