The U.S Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has extended its “No Sail” order on cruise ships through September 2020.
CDC No Sail Order Extended
The U.S Centers for Disease Control has decided to extend its No Sail order on cruise ships through September 30, 2020. This announcement comes as no surprise and was expected with cruise lines not returning to service until new health protocols are in place.
Th extended order impacts cruise passenger ships that carry at least 250 passengers in United States waters. This affects major U.S.-based cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
The CDC supports the Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) voluntary suspension of cruises in the United States through September 15, 2020. This allows member lines to prepare for the return to service and to make sure guidelines are followed in line with the CDC recommendations for health and safety.
The CLIA has released a statement in response to the extended order:
As reflected in today’s announcement, CLIA and its member lines remain aligned with the CDC in our commitment to public health and safety. We are also pleased that the CDC has announced its intention to issue a request for information about the industry’s resumption of passenger operations.
As we continue to work towards the development of enhanced protocols to support the safe resumption of cruise operations around the world, we look forward to timely and productive dialogue with the CDC to determine measures that will be appropriate for ocean-going cruise operations to resume in the United States when the time is right.
The CDC has also released some new data on COVID-19 infections on cruise ships. From March 1 through July 10, 2020, the data shows 2,973 COVID-19 or COVID-related cases on cruise ships. There were 34 deaths from the 99 outbreaks on 123 different cruise ships. What’s surprising is 80 percent of ships were affected by COVID-19, and nine cruise ships which are currently under the No Sail order have ongoing or resolving outbreaks.
Cruise Hive will keep readers updated on any new developments impacting the cruise industry and any changes to the new extensions, which can rescinded or modified by the CDC if needed.
