CDC delivers framework for restart
THE United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the weekend lifted its “no sail” order on American cruise ships, and set out a framework for how cruising could restart (CW breaking news).
The concept says cruise lines must demonstrate adherence to stringent health and safety protocols including extensive testing, quarantine measures and social distancing.
Cruise lines must meet these standards on a series of crewonly test sailings before they will be allowed to resume passenger sailings.
The CDC said the benefits of the new framework outweigh the costs of not allowing ships to sail, as it would provide flexibility for lines that have taken necessary precautions to mitigate risk, while continuing to prohibit sailings for those that fail to do so.
The framework will require cruise lines to provide rapid laboratory testing of all passengers and crew members on both the day of embarkation and disembarkation, with travellers who test positive not permitted to board.
Onboard testing capabilities will be developed to test anyone who may appear symptomatic, with those who test positive to be isolated and transferred to a dedicated facility on shore.
All remaining passengers and nonessential crew members will also be required to go into quarantine upon the return of a positive test.
Cruise lines must also meet standards for hand hygiene, face coverings, ship sanitation, and social distancing for passengers and crew members.
The wearing of masks “may be required by CDC technical instructions or orders,” but the framework does not lay out where and when they might be mandated.
Meal services and entertainment venues will also be modified to ensure that social distancing can be implemented.
The move comes after the CDC last week advised Americans to “defer all cruise travel” (CW
27 Oct), with the public health institute earlier in Oct extending its no sail order for the remainder of that month (CW 02 Oct).
Cruise Lines International Association Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz welcomed the news, telling Cruise Weekly that just as in the United States, the Association was “advocating for a similar measured and carefully managed resumption of local cruise itineraries in Australia and NZ that work within our international border restrictions”.