CDC extends its no-sail order due to the risk of further Covid-19 outbreaks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that the no-sail order for US cruises will be suspended until November as it warned that premature resumption of operations could cause the virus to spread into US communities.

“Recent outbreaks on cruise ships overseas provide current evidence that cruise ship travel continues to transmit and amplify the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 – even when ships sail at reduced passenger capacities,” the CDC said.

New extension aligns with CLIA’s voluntary suspension made in August

Back in April the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) members decided to voluntarily suspend all US cruise operations until 31 October – electively choosing to extend the suspension of their operations beyond the CDC’s no-sail order at the time, which then ran until 30 September. The CLIA is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, made up of around 60 cruise line members that represent more than 95 per cent of global cruise capacity.

At the time, the CLIA said that the decision to voluntarily suspend cruise operations had been a ‘difficult’ one to make, as it recognised the ‘crushing impact’ the pandemic had had on the community, but that it was necessary in demonstrating the cruise industry’s commitment to public health.

Onboard safety protocols not sufficient protection against Covid-19

Acknowledging the 3,689+ Covid-19 or ‘Covid-like illness cases’ on cruise ships in US waters between March and October, in addition to at least 41 reported deaths, the CDC said these numbers are ‘likely incomplete and an underestimate’.

The CDC listed numerous factors that affected its decision to extend the no-sail order:

• Outbreaks continued to be reported (both onboard and offboard) in relation to cruises overseas, despite cruise ship operators having extensive health and safety protocols to prevent the transmission of the virus onboard.
• Additional time was needed to assess industry measures to control potential virus transmission onboard cruise ships with passengers without burdening public health, which was already busy with testing, isolating, contact tracing, and quarantining of exposed people.
• Onboard cruise ships, passengers and crew share spaces that are more crowded than most urban settings, and so not only are these individuals placed at unnecessary risks, so are the healthcare workers, port personnel and federal partners, and the communities they return to.

Suspension to remain in place until Covid no longer a public health emergency

The CDC asserted that the no-sail order would remain in effect ‘until the earliest of’: the expiration of the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ declaration that Covid-19 constitutes a public health emergency; or until the CDC Director rescinds or modifies the order based on specific public health or other considerations; or October 31, 2020.

“CDC will continue to update its guidance and recommendations to specify basic safety standards and public health interventions based on the best scientific evidence available,” the organisation said.