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Cruise tourism stopped for months – there had been too many uncontrollable corona outbreaks on ships. For the restart to be successful, the industry is now introducing mandatory tests for crews and passengers.
The cruise industry has made the corona test mandatory for all guests and crew members on board ships. “Access to the ship is only granted with a negative test result,” said the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the largest association in the cruise industry. All CLIA member shipping companies must comply with this global testing obligation with immediate effect. According to the information, they represent 95 percent of the global cruise capacity.
The industry is “the first and so far only sector within the tourism industry to consistently introduce mandatory coronavirus testing for all travelers and employees.” The obligation applies to ships with more than 250 passengers. When and how to test employees and guests for the new type of corona virus, shipping companies must decide for themselves.
Mandatory rest for months
The obligation to test is an important component in being able to restart cruise operations safely, said CLIA Germany Director Helge Grammerstorf. According to the CLIA, 48,000 jobs depend on the cruise industry in Germany.
After a forced hiatus for months, cruise lines slowly started again in July and initially offered short trips without disembarking. Some of the passengers can now leave the ship for excursions.
Strict rules on board
Since the resumption of the cruises, strict crown rules apply on board the ships as well. There are temperature measurements, orientation systems, limited capacities for on-ship restaurants, bars and theaters, a mask requirement in elevators, stairs and cabin aisles, as well as less utilization than in normal operation.
