US Coast Guard orders cruise ships in Texas to form medical plans
The US Coast Guard has determined that crew members onboard cruise ships in Texas pose a risk of spreading Covid-19
Two Carnival Cruise Line and two Royal Caribbean Cruises ships have been at the port of Galveston in Texas, US, since 13 March, as they wait for business to resume. No passengers are on the ships; however, they carry thousands of workers. The Coast Guard has now ordered operators to prepare medical plans to care for any sick workers.
In a letter sent to Royal Caribbean Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line, Coast Guard Capt. Oditt said: “I have determined your vessel poses an unacceptable risk of medical emergency due to the inherent and high probability of transmission of Covid-19 aboard, which presents a risk to the safety of the personnel aboard your vessel, first responders and the port.”
Oditt called for the companies to prepare to treat sick workers on the ships and bring critically ill patients to medical facilities that they need to identify as able to accept such patients. The companies confirmed that they received the orders and are complying.
The number of coronavirus cases and deaths continues to grow in Texas, with more than 8,200 infections and 154 deaths.