The global cruise industry has been thrashed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Various cruise companies have postponed their trips or cancelled them entirely.
Cruise ships have been some of the largest sites for early COVID-19 outbreaks. Picture: Unsplash
Since March, the United States (US) cruise industry has been under a ‘no sail’ order. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) planned to extend the ban until February 2021.
This has since been overruled by the White House under a new Conditional Sailing Order.
Since November 1, cruise companies have been allowed to set sail from the US.
‘The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announces this framework for a phased resumption of cruise ship passenger operations.
‘Considering the continued spread of COVID-19 worldwide and increased risk of COVID-19 on cruise ships, a careful approach is needed to safely resume cruise ship passenger operations. CDC is establishing requirements to mitigate the COVID-19 risk to passengers and crew, prevent the further spread of COVID-19 from cruise ships into U.S. communities, and protect public health and safety.
‘After expiration of CDC’s No Sail Order (NSO) on October 31, 2020, CDC will take a phased approach to resuming cruise ship passenger operations in U.S. waters,’ states the order.
The reopening of the industry will happen in phases
Crew members will be tested regularly for COVID-19 through on board laboratories. Wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) will be mandatory.
Simulated voyages will be done to test cruise ship operators’ capacity to ‘mitigate’ COVID-19 risks. Ships that meet specific requirements will be given certifications. Passengers will return in phases so as to maintain social distancing protocols and to avoid an outbreak.
‘These phases are subject to change based on public health considerations and cruise ship operators’ demonstrated ability to mitigate COVID- 19 risk,’ says the order.
