Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced the adoption of new screening policies regarding the coronavirus, officially named COVID-19. As a result of the changes, CLIA member cruise lines will now:
- Deny boarding to all persons who have travelled from, visited or transited via airports in South Korea, Iran, China, including Hong Kong and Macau, and any municipality in Italy subject to lockdown (quarantine) measures by the Italian Government, as designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within 14 days prior to embarkation.
- Conduct illness screening for all persons who have travelled from, visited or transited via airports in any destinations listed on the U.S. CDC “Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel” page within 14 days before embarkation. Illness screening includes symptom history checks for fever, cough and difficulty breathing in the 14 days before embarkation and taking of temperature.
- Deny boarding to all persons who, within 14 days prior to embarkation, have had contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having COVID-19, or who are currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to COVID-19.
- Conduct pre-boarding screening necessary to effectuate these prevention measures. Enhanced screening and initial medical support are to be provided, as needed, to any persons exhibiting symptoms of suspected COVID-19.
“The adoption of these measures further demonstrates the cruise industry’s unique ability to respond quickly as circumstances evolve,” said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of CLIA, in a written statement. “We remain in close contact with local governments around the world, and while we regret that these changes will result in the denial of boarding for some of our guests, travelers should know that their health and safety is the absolute priority for the industry.”
There are now 92,943 cases of the coronavirus worldwide, and 3,160 deaths, according to the latest remarks from World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noting that the WHO has raised its assessment of the risk of spread and impact from the virus to “very high” at the global level.
“As I have said before, this is a virus with serious impact on public health, the economy and social and political issues,” said Dr. Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “But at present, we see linked epidemics in several countries, where most cases can still be traced to known contacts or clusters of cases, in, although we see signs of community transmission in some countries.”
Dr. Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that containment of the virus must be the top priority for all countries, but that countries should also prepare for “sustained community transmission.”
“With early, aggressive measures, countries can stop transmission and save lives,” Dr. Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
This article originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.
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