CDC updates Covid guidance for cruise ships
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidance on cruise ships, due to a drop in the number of Covid-19 cases on-board
The CDC on Tuesday moved cruise ship travel to a Level 3 health notice but suggests travellers are ‘up to date’ with their Covid-19 vaccines before going on a cruise. However, people who are at an increased risk from Covid-19 are still advised to avoid cruise travel, says the CDC.
The CDC uses a four-level travel health notice system to alert travellers to health treats around the world. Level 4, the highest alert level, warns of ‘very high’ Covid-19 levels.
The announcement comes just over a month after adherence to CDC cruise line guidelines became voluntary following the expiry of an extension to the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order on 15 January.
Covid vaccines should still be up to date before a cruise
“Getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect yourself from severe disease, slow the spread of Covid-19, and reduce the number of new variants,” the CDC says on its website. “If you are not up to date with your Covid-19 vaccines, avoid cruise ship travel.”
Cruise Lines International Association, a cruise industry trade association, called the CDC's decision ‘a step in the right direction’. "Cruise ships have medical, isolation and quarantine facilities on site, implement extensive response plans using private shoreside resources, and have created an environment where almost every single person is fully vaccinated," a statement from the association reads. "As a result, cases of Covid-19 are very low with the vast majority mild or asymptomatic – making cruise unequalled in its multi-layered approach to effectively mitigating Covid-19."