The nation’s present conditional crusing order, which restricts cruises within the U.S. amid the continued COVID-19 pandemic, will stay in place till November 1, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated Wednesday.
Passenger operations stay suspended in the course of the preliminary phases of the present order.
“Returning to passenger cruising is a phased approach to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19,” a CDC spokesperson stated in an announcement Wednesday. “Details for the next phase of the [order] are currently under interagency review.”
The CDC’s newest assertion adopted requires the “outdated” order to be lifted made by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
The commerce group urged the CDC to “allow for the planning of a phased resumption of cruise operations from U.S. ports by the beginning of July” in an announcement Wednesday.
CLIA claimed “the very small fraction of reported COVID cases (fewer than 50 based on public reports) is dramatically lower than the rate on land or in any other transportation mode.”
CDC pointers for U.S. cruises
The cruise business got here to a halt final 12 months amid the outbreak. A “No Sail Order” for cruise ships was issued by the CDC on March 14, because the nationwide well being physique had “reason to believe that cruise ship travel may continue to introduce, transmit, or spread COVID-19.”
The No Sail Order was most lately prolonged on September 30, 2020. But on October 30, the CDC issued the present “Framework for Conditional Sailing Order” for cruises within the U.S.
The newest order outlines a phased strategy for resuming passenger cruises, with detailed pointers for resuming cruise operations in U.S. waters.
However, “passenger operations continue to be suspended during the initial phases of this order.
“The preliminary section requires crew screening to find out the prevalence of COVID-19 amongst all crew members at present on cruise ships in U.S. waters,” the CDC advises.
CDC advice for international cruises
Some cruises have resumed in other regions around the world, such as in parts of Europe, Asia, the South Pacific as well as the Caribbean.
Last week, Royal Caribbean announced that COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for adult guests on its upcoming new sailings from the Bahamas and St. Maarten.
But the CDC currently recommends that “vacationers keep away from cruise journey worldwide.”
The health body advises people to avoid any travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide “as a result of the chance of COVID-19 on cruise ships could be very excessive.
“Cruise passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, and outbreaks of COVID-19 have been reported on cruise ships.
“It is particularly essential that individuals with an elevated threat of extreme sickness keep away from journey on cruise ships, together with river cruises,” the CDC warns.
CDC advice for cruise travelers
Those who do decide to go on a cruise at this time are advised to take the following precautions for 14 days after they return from a cruise journey, as outlined by the CDC:
- Get tested 3–5 days after your trip and stay home for seven days after travel. Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days. If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
- If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home for 10 days after travel.
- Avoid being around those who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, regardless of whether you get tested or not.
- Follow state and local recommendations or requirements related to travel.
See the CDC website for more information on cruise ship travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Apu Gomes/AFP by way of Getty Images
The wider image
Coronavirus has contaminated greater than 124.9 million folks, together with over 30 million within the U.S., because it was first reported in Wuhan, China.
More than 2.7 million folks have died worldwide and greater than 70.8 million have recovered as of Thursday, in line with Johns Hopkins University.
The graphic under, produced by Statista, illustrates the unfold of COVID-19 within the U.S.
The graphic under, produced by Statista, illustrates nations with essentially the most COVID-19 vaccine doses administered per 100,000 folks.
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