Credit to: OSORIOartist / Shutterstock.com On 11 March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic and this announcement followed the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO on 30 January 2020. Below is a short overview of some of the measures which countries have implemented to reduce the exposure and transmission of COVID-19 and its variants to their citizens, and which may have an impact on shipping. The current situation in China Mainland China China recently eased up on its COVID-19 restrictions regulating crew changes in Chinese ports to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus mutations, especially the Omicron variant. Our local correspondents informed us that not only the restrictive measures regulating crew changes and disembarkation of crew in Chinese ports are easing up. Also, it is expected that local surveyors are soon able to attend on board foreign vessels the same way, as before the pandemic. The latest update, which gives a good overview of the current situation in China was received from our local correspondents Messrs. Huatai Marine. *  Huatai Marine Circular no. PNI [2023]01 (dd.19 January 2023) We also recommend reading the latest circular we received from local correspondents Messrs. Shanghai P&I as it includes a list detailing the current situation in each port advising whether crew change and/or the attendance of local surveyors on board are permitted by local authorities. *  Shanghai P&I Circular no. SPI230101 (dd. 13 January 2023) In addition, we enclose the Circular no. 2206 received on 9 January 2023 from Messrs. Oasis, also giving an update about the latest easement of COVID-19 restrictions in China. *  Oasis Circular 2301: China relieves COVID-19 control Hong Kong Following the spreading of COVID-19 cases in China, Hong Kong has issued new boarding requirements for inbound passengers from mainland China, Macao and Taiwan, but also for