The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has extended its “No Sail Order” for all cruise ships amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“We are working with the cruise line industry to address the health and safety of crew at sea as well as communities surrounding U.S. cruise ship points of entry,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield. “The measures we are taking today to stop the spread of COVID-19 are necessary to protect Americans, and we will continue to provide critical public health guidance to the industry to limit the impacts of COVID-19 on its workforce throughout the remainder of this pandemic.”
The order ceases operations of cruise ships in waters where the United States may exert jurisdiction, according to the CDC.
It also requires that cruise lines develop a “comprehensive, detailed operational plan approved by CDC and the USCG to address the COVID-19 pandemic through maritime focused solutions, including a fully implementable response plan with limited reliance on state, local, and federal government support.”
The CDC said the order would continue until the earliest of three situations: first, the expiration of the declaration of COVID-19 as a public health emergency.
Second would be if the CDC Director rescinded or modified the order based on “specific public health or other considerations.”
Third, 100 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.
For more, visit CDC.
– CJ