CLIA mandates core health protocols
CRUISE Lines International Association (CLIA) has laid out the first steps of a road map toward a resumption of cruising in the United States, saying that with the support of regulators and destinations “cruises could feasibly begin during the remainder of 2020”.
The aspirations come alongside the announcement of a key set of “mandatory core elements” which CLIA’s cruise line members will implement during a phasedin resumption of operations.
The health and safety protocols include recommendations from the Healthy Sail Panel established by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Royal Caribbean Group (CW 07 Jul) as well as MSC Cruises’ Blue Ribbon Group (CW 08 Jul) and experts commissioned by Carnival Corporation.
Other considerations include the effective protocols already in place for the successful European sailings by Costa Cruises, MSC, Ponant, SeaDream and TUI.
The CLIA Global Board has voted unanimously to adopt the recommendations for an initial restart of limited operations in the Americas.
“These core elements will be continuously evaluated and adjusted against the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the availability of new prevention, therapeutics and mitigation measures,” CLIA said.
The protocols include full COVID testing prior to boarding, with initial cruises to sail on modified itineraries under stringent protocols governing the entire cruise experience, from booking through to disembarkation.
Other measures include mandatory mask-wearing wherever physical distancing cannot be maintained.
These core elements, which are applicable to all ocean-going CLIA members, are subject to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) No Sail Order, and will be also submitted to the CDC’s Request for Information related to the safe resumption of cruise operations (CW 27 Jul).
Risk-based medical response plans will be tailored for each ship including dedicated cabin capacity for isolation and advance arrangements with private providers for shoreside quarantine and transportation.
CLIA Australasia MD Joel Katz welcomed the core protocols as a path to a phased resumption of cruising in the Americas.
“These will inform and support our ongoing engagement with the Australian and NZ governments towards development of a phased resumption of cruising in this region” - see cruising.org.