On Monday (July 18), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finally removed its COVID-19 ‘Program for Cruise Ships’, confirming that the voluntary advisory is no longer in effect and will not be updated further.
This is an acknowledgement by the CDC that the adherence to stringent COVID-19 protocols onboard cruise ships is no longer necessary, since it deemed the program voluntary in February.
"Cruise ships have access to guidance and tools to manage their own COVID-19 mitigation programmes,” the CDC says.
The body has also discontinued its colour-coded classification system for identifying levels of COVID-19 on ships. The system depended on each cruise line having the same COVID-19 screening testing standards, which may now vary among cruise lines.
“Cruise travellers have the option of contacting their cruise line directly regarding outbreaks occurring on board their ship,” the CDC advises.
The Cruise Line International Association has applauded the move. "This is an important step forward in the CDC aligning the guidelines for cruise with those it has established for other travel, hospitality and entertainment sectors. The sunsetting of the CDC programme is a testament to the effectiveness of the industry's comprehensive and robust protocols."
