CDC Lifts No-Sail Order That Has Restricted Cruise Travel to and from United States

Centers for Disease Control will allow a "phased return" to cruise passenger voyages

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has lifted the No-Sail Order that has restricted all cruise travel to and from the United States, technically allowing the industry to restart operations on November 1.

The CDC originally issued the order on March 14 and extended it twice since then, and said the new order is a “framework for conditional sailing” and outlines the testing process that the cruise lines must go through to resume operations safely.

The first phase calls for testing and safeguards for crew members, followed by “simulated voyages” to make sure that cruise lines can mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

After that, the agency will allow a “phased return” to cruise passenger voyages.

The Conditional Sailing Order for Cruise Ships phases are:

■ Testing and additional safeguards for crew members
■ Simulated voyages to test cruise line ability to mitigate virus spread onboard
■ Phased return to cruise ship passenger voyages

These phases are subject to change based on public health considerations and cruise ship operator’s demonstrated ability to mitigate COVID-19 risk.

Passengers and crew must also be tested on the day of the voyage, and at the conclusion of the cruise. Voyages would not be allowed to exceed seven days.

The lifting of the lifted the No-Sail Order could be a shot in the arm for the Space Coast and Port Canaveral cruise business, which has been shut down since March.

STAY TUNED TO SPACE COAST DAILY FOR UPDATES

 

Similar Stories