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The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued its next phase of its ‘Framework for Conditional Sailing Order’ on Friday, an important step to get cruise ships sailing in U.S. waters again.
This is the second phase of the ‘Conditional Sailing Order’ (CSO), which was introduced at the end of October 2020 to replace the CDC’s previous ‘no sail order’.
The cruising industry has been one of the worst-hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, with cruise ships unable to sail in U.S. waters for more than a year despite cruises taking place in other parts of the world.
CDC Issues Next Phase of its Framework for Conditional Sailing Order
The next phases of the conditional sailing order described in a news release as ”technical guidance” cover a range of new requirements cruise lines will need to implement to resume operations.
The new guidance requires cruise lines to increase COVID-19 reporting frequency from weekly to daily, implement routine testing, and update the color-coding system used to classify ships’ status in relation to COVID-19.
Additionally, the new guidelines require cruise lines to establish a plan and timeline for vaccinating crew and port personnel, as well as creating planning materials for agreements that port authorities and local health authorities must approve to ensure cruise lines have the necessary infrastructure in place to manage an outbreak of COVID-19 on their ships.
The CDC said the second phase of the order will include trial voyages to practice new COVID-19 operational procedures with volunteers before taking paying passengers.
When Will Cruises Resume in the U.S.?
The new guidance does not clarify when cruise ships can start sailing in U.S. waters again, something the industry has been eager to find out.
Some cruise lines have even moved their home ports out of the U.S. to operate, while Florida has threatened to sue the CDC if cruises can’t resume.
The CDC says they are committed to working with the cruise industry and port partners to resume cruising when it is safe to do so.
“Cruising safely and responsibly during a global pandemic is difficult,” the CDC said “While cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission, following the phases of the CSO will ensure cruise ship passenger operations are conducted in a way that protects crew members, passengers, and port personnel, particularly with emerging COVID-19 variants of concern.”
CDC Encourages Passengers to Get Vaccinated
In the news release, the CDC said that COVID-19 vaccination efforts will be critical in the safe resumption of cruise line operations.
The agency urged “all eligible port personnel and travelers (passengers and crew) get a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available to them” as well as advising cruise lines to develop a plan and timeline for vaccination of cruises ship crew before resuming passenger operations.
The guidelines said cruise lines should educate travelers on the importance of getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Some cruise lines have already announced they will require passengers to be fully vaccinated in order to sail.
This news comes after a day full of travel updates from the CDC, who announced that vaccinated Americans are safe to travel in the U.S. and abroad. As of this weekend, The CDC estimates that more than 56 million or about 17% of Americans have been fully vaccinated.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Chuck
Sunday 4th of April 2021
The vaccination requirement can't be enforced in Florida due to new laws. The tail wagging the dog.
Liberty
Sunday 4th of April 2021
It's INSANE that the CDC can just issue binding orders on anyone or anything in this country. It's a dictatorship or the "experts."