The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised its corona warning level for cruise ships yesterday to four, the highest level there is. “Don’t go on a cruise, even if you’re vaccinated,” it sounds blunt.
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In recent weeks, the number of corona outbreaks on cruise ships has increased. Sunday became known CDC is investigating more than 60 cruise ships after coronavirus infections were reported on board.
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Several ports have since refused access to cruise ships. For example, the ships of Royal Caribbean International, where 55 people tested positive last week, were not allowed to dock in Curaçao and Aruba. A number of Carnival Freedom ships have also been denied access. One ship from the fleet had to return to Miami on Sunday after discovering “a small number” of infections on board.
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“Incomprehensible”
Industry association Cruise Lines International Association calls the CDC’s decision “incomprehensible”. According to the organization, a “very small minority of the total number of people on board” test positive and most cases are “asymptomatic or mild”.
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Royal Caribbean International – one of the largest cruise companies in the world – previously reported that its ships have carried 1.1 million passengers since the sector reopened last June. A total of 1,745 people have since tested positive. Most had mild to no symptoms, but 41 of them still had to be hospitalized.
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Mexico has already announced that it will no longer refuse cruise ships at its ports, even if there are infections on board. Those who have no symptoms may disembark.
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The cruise industry was shut down for eighteen months after hundreds of people became infected on board at the start of the pandemic. Strict rules have been in force on the ships since the reopening. For example, you must wear a mouth mask inside, unless you eat or drink.
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