The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidance for domestic travel in the USA. The update is long overdue and could be a step in the right direction to resume cruise operations. There are also an update for international travel launched at the same time.
Those who are fully vaccinated have the green light for domestic travel in the United States without restrictions. This may be the signal the cruise industry has been waiting for, and we already know that the CDC is set to launch new cruise guidelines as well.
Green light for domestic travel
It is now obvious that the return of travel to the USA is all about vaccines. The CDC updated its orientation on April 2 for domestic travel in the USA. For a time, the CDC issued only essential travel guidelines. That has now changed, and anyone who is fully vaccinated is now at low risk.
The CDC states that “fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to obtain and disseminate COVID-19”. This means that no test is required to travel, unless the destination requires it. Vaccinated travelers also no longer need to be quarantined.
However, vaccinated people should remain cautious while wearing a mask, socially distancing themselves from 1.8 m and washing their hands frequently.
There is no doubt that the launch of the vaccine proved to be a great success across the country. While this continues, it should allow greater relaxation of the rules for travel.
A step in the right direction for cruises
How can this change the game for the cruise industry? It’s certainly a step in the right direction, especially for those cruise line planning for complete vaccination guests only.
This may be a tip to allow cruises to resume operations. However, the industry is still waiting for further guidance from the CDC. Until this guidance is released, it is all too presumed.
Read also: CDC will issue new guidelines on resuming cruises
With the launch of the vaccine, it will only be a matter of time, but there are some obstacles. Domestic cruises are complicated because cruise ships must visit an international port and this is even more difficult with Canada very closed to cruise ships.
For international travel, everything remains the same with the test and quarantine requirements. The Caribbean is ready and waiting for when the cruise lines get the go-ahead. At the moment, the CDC has remained firm in the Conditional Sailing Order that was in force until November 1, 2021, unless the director terminated it.
There was growing calls for the order to be suspended, and the CDC has already responded that new guidelines are on the way. What they are is not yet clear. They could be phase 2 of the structure that was announced at the end of October 2020.
Everything is developing rapidly and Cruise Hive will keep readers informed of any new updates on when cruises can be resumed from the United States.
