CDC finally issues cruise line guidance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have finally issued restart policies for the cruise industry.
By Michael McGrady, Maritime Direct Americas & Pacific Correspondent
ATLANTA — Cruise industry leaders have announced that they are pleased with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for finally issuing cruise industry reopening guidelines that update the country’s no-sail order in place since October 30, 2020.
The Maritime Executive reports that the CDC’s guidance came amid calls and criticism from the cruise and travel industries. This guidance’s issuance is an interim step for the CDC by issuing travel guidance for fully vaccinated travelers in the United States.
According to the CDC, the next step is “technical guidance under the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order“ so that it can apply to the cruise companies that can start sailing from US passenger terminals and ports.
The CDC repeated that it is “committed to working with the cruise industry and seaport partners to resume cruising when it is safe to do so, following the phased approach outlined in the CSO.”
“Cruising safely and responsibly during a global pandemic is difficult,” the announcement said. “While cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission, following the phases of the CSO will ensure cruise ship passenger operations are conducted in a way that protects crew members, passengers, and port personnel, particularly with emerging COVID-19 variants of concern.”
