Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the (a) welfare of merchant mariners and (b) measures to repatriate them safely during the covid-19 pandemic.

I have regular dialogue with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency regarding a range of topics. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency have been supporting Departmental officials who have been working with other government agencies to support industry in the global repatriation of UK and non-UK national seafarers

The UK has not placed restrictions on the transit and transfer of seafarers and continues to meet its international obligations related to the transit and transfer of seafarers.

The Government has ensured quarantine requirements for those travelling into UK, announced on 22 May, do not apply to seamen, masters or marine pilots travelling in the operation of their duties.