Two cruise lines have updated their coronavirus health protocols which now include Italy, South Korea, and Iran due to a sharp increase in infections.
More Countries Added to Cruise Line Health Restrictions
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and more sister brands have updated their health protocols in response to the sharp increase of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in Italy, South Korea, and Iran.
The cruise lines, which are owned by the same parent company, will now begin to deny boarding to those guests who have traveled through Iran, South Korea, and the Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto in the past 15 days.
The cruise lines will also no longer allow passengers who have come in close contact (within six feet) of those who have traveled to the restricted countries to board any vessel. The newly added countries are in addition to restrictions already in place concerning China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
There will be mandatory specialized health screenings on any guest who has traveled through, from, or to Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Italy (all regions other than Lombardy and Veneto) in the past 15 days.
Passengers booked on any cruise in or near affected regions should check for the official measures which are now in place right here. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises will provide a full refund to any passenger who is denied to cruise. It is also important to know that these new measures also apply to all Royal Caribbean-owned brands including Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Azamara, Silversea, TUI Cruises, and Pullmantur.
Also Read: Another 14-Day Quarantine to Begin for Diamond Princess Crew Members
The new restrictions come after an increase in confirmed cases in Italy, South Korea, and even Iran. As of this writing, there have been more than 79,400 confirmed cases of the virus, which is named COVID-19, around the world and more than 2,600 deaths.
There are currently 229 cases in Italy according to the authorities, and seven people have died. 172 of those cases are in the Lombardy region in the north of the country including Milan. South Korea now has over 830 cases of the deadly virus and seven deaths.
We expect even more cruise lines to update their restrictions after advice from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Passengers should check for updated restrictions directly with their cruise line, and stay tuned as Cruise Hive works to bring you the latest updates as they are released.
