Cruise lines are tightening pandemic protocols as the Delta variant of COVID-19 increases globally, with Carnival Cruise Line the latest to tighten vaccine requirements.
Why it’s important: Cruise ships were an epicenter of the coronavirus at the start of the pandemic, and the CDC warned last Friday that people at higher risk for serious coronavirus disease should avoid traveling on cruises.
What is happening: The Bahamian government last Thursday imposed an emergency order banning the country’s ships unless all those over the age of 12 were inoculated against the virus, beginning Sept. 3.
- Royal Caribbean imposed this vaccination requirement on the same day.
- Carnival announced Sunday that as of Sept. 3, all guests over the age of 12 traveling on cruise lines calling at Bahamian ports will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have a medical exemption. .
- “Effectively from August 28 to October, for departures from all ports of origin in the Atlantic and Gulf, only children under 12 and adults with a disease that prohibits their vaccination are exempt from vaccination requirements for sailing, “Carnival added in its statement.
For the record: Carnival Vista saw the largest outbreak of coronavirus cases since cruises resumed in the United States and the Caribbean last June, with 27 people testing positive for COVID-19 after leaving Galveston, Texas in late July and early August, according to the New York Times.
- One of those passengers died after the virus at an Oklahoma hospital, although Carnival spokesman Chris Chiames said in an email to Axios that the woman “almost certainly did not hire COVID at the our ship “.
- Royal Caribbean saw six guests test positive for the virus on the ship Adventure of the Seas, the NYT notes.
- The two cruise companies responded with additional reinforcement measures.
Note: Several cruise companies are challenging the ban on Florida vaccine passports, in particular Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which has filed a lawsuit challenging Governor Ron DeSantis (R) ‘s order.
What they say: “Carnival has implemented a set of protocols designed to flex as needed to adapt to the changing public health situation related to COVID-19,” Chiames said.
- “We meet the standards for a vaccinated cruise set by the CDC, with at least 95% of our guests and all of our crew vaccinated, and then we implemented additional measures, as we now require vaccinated guests to submit vaccination tests. and a negative COVID test on arrival.
- “These few guests who can’t be vaccinated are given two tests before embarking on the ship and, again, on disembarkation. And all guests must wear masks in the interior areas of the ship where people gather, such as dining rooms, theaters and casinos, ”Chiames added.
“Unfortunately, right now, no place on land or sea is free of COVID, but we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our guests, crews and communities we visit and we have not hesitated to act quickly and go beyond existing public health guidelines “.