CDC keeps no-sail order for the cruise industry
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the cruise industry is stuck with a no-sail order.
By Michael McGrady, Maritime Direct Americas & Pacific Correspondent
ATLANTA — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that the no-sail order regulating the cruise industry’s reopening after the global COVID-19 pandemic would stay the law of the land until November 1.
Caitlin Shockey, a spokesperson for the CDC, told USA TODAY that the agency’s conditional sailing order is in effect and will not be lifted unless otherwise ordered.
“Returning to passenger cruising is a phased approach to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19,” Shockey said in the USA TODAY report. “Details for the next phase of the CSO are currently under interagency review.”
Industry groups are concerned that the CDC is letting the cruise industry in the United States go to the way side.
“Over the past eight months, a highly-controlled resumption of cruising has continued in Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific—with nearly 400,000 passengers sailing to date in more than 10 major cruise markets,” said Kelly Craighead, the president, and chief executive officer for the Crusie Lines International Association (CLIA).
“These voyages were successfully completed with industry-leading protocols that have effectively mitigated the spread of COVID-19. Additional sailings are planned in the Mediterranean and Caribbean later this spring and summer.”
