| CDC issues test guidance

THE Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has recommended all port personnel and cruise travellers, including passengers and crews, get a coronavirus vaccine when available, as part of Phases 2B and 3 of the Conditional Sailing Order (CSO).

Covering simulated passenger voyages and the Conditional Sailing Certification, the CDC released the latest two phases of the CSO yesterday, meaning cruise lines now have all the necessary requirements and recommendations they need to start simulated voyages before resuming restricted passenger voyages.

The guidance says a cruise line should notify the CDC and request its approval to conduct a simulated voyage at least 30 calendar days prior to the simulation.

At least one simulation of two-to-seven days (with at least one overnight stay) and 10% capacity must be conducted for each ship the cruise line intends to reactivate.

Self-guided or independent exploration by passengers during port stops will be prohibited, and cruise lines must also submit laboratory test results for every crew member on board ships operating in American waters “as required by CDC”.

All volunteer passengers must submit to post-disembarkation specimen collection for coronavirus testing three-to-five days after completion of the simulated voyage.

“CDC acknowledges it is not possible for cruising to be a zero-risk activity for spread of COVID-19,” the guidance said.

“While cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission, CDC is committed to ensuring that cruise ship passenger operations are conducted in a way that protects crew members, passengers, and port personnel, particularly with emerging COVID-19 variants.”

For cruise lines not wishing to conduct simulated voyages, the CDC said in a letter to the cruise industry earlier this week, operators may proceed to passenger sailings if they attest 98% of crew members and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated (CW 03 May).

The industry has reviewed the guidance, and will meet with the CDC tomorrow to clarify certain aspects of what is required.