The US government is maintaining its restrictions caused by the pandemic on cruise trips in national waters, rejecting an industry request to lift the restrictions months ahead of schedule.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced on Wednesday that it wants the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lift its restrictions on cruises until July.
The CDC implemented a 40-page order on October 30 last year requiring owners to follow dozens of stipulations that include taking mock trips and installing virus testing laboratories on board.
Next phase under review
The Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO) remains in effect until November 1, 2021, the CDC told TradeWinds on Wednesday.
“Returning to the passenger cruise is a phased approach to mitigate the risk of spreading Covid-19,” the document said. “The details for the next phase of the CSO are currently under interinstitutional review.”
CLIA said the early July deadline is in line with US President Joe Biden’s forecast of when the country will be “closer to normal” with respect to Covid-19, which has put the cruise industry in a deep freeze for one year.
“Over the past eight months, a highly controlled resumption of cruises has continued in Europe, Asia and the South Pacific – with nearly 400,000 passengers sailing to date in more than 10 major cruise markets,” said Chief Executive Kelly Craighead.
Less than 50 cases of Covid-19 have been reported on these cruise ships for an infection rate that is “dramatically lower” than on land or any other mode of transport, according to the association.
The CDC did not disclose any additional guidance to the industry on resuming operations, therefore, banning travel on the largest cruise market in the world.
As a result, cruising is the only sector of the U.S. economy that remains banned from returning to operations, although most others have opened or continued to operate during the pandemic, CLIA said.
Craighead said: “The outdated CSO, which was launched nearly five months ago, does not reflect the proven advances and success of the industry operating in other parts of the world, nor the advent of vaccines, and treats cruises unfairly differently.
Robust protocols
“Cruise companies should be treated in the same way as other travel, tourism, hospitality and entertainment sectors.”
She said that some lines have announced some trips for vaccinated passengers, but CLIA does not yet have a vaccination policy.
“The organization and its members are exploring a viable approach to considering vaccinations, once widely available, as part of robust protocols,” she said.