CLIA has welcomed the publication by the EU of a new report outlining how to restart cruise operations.

The Interim Guidance for Restarting Cruise Operations document, developed by the EU Healthy Gateways initiative, is “an important marker in the possible resumption of cruising in Europe”, CLIA said in a statement.

The EU report states: “In addition to measures aimed at excluding infected persons from boarding a cruise ship, early detection and isolation of the first case, disembarkation, and quarantine of close contacts in facilities ashore are all essential elements for effectively preventing future Covid-19 outbreaks on board cruise ships.

“When resuming operations, cruise lines may initially consider using itineraries of a short duration (for example three to seven days) and to perhaps limit the number of port visits in the itinerary.

“The willingness and capacity of countries included in the itinerary should be explored, and arrangements should be in place to accept possible or confirmed Covid-19 cases disembarking from cruise ships, as well as possible contacts and anyone else wishing to disembark.”

The document also states that all ships “should have in place a written contingency plan/outbreak management plan
for the prevention and control of possible cases of Covid-19”.

Speaking on behalf of CLIA Europe, secretary-general Tom Boardley said: “The primary concern of CLIA and its member lines is the health and safety of its passengers and crew. This guidance from the public health authorities in Europe provides a useful resource for cruise lines as they prepare to resume operations.”

The statement added that CLIA members “envisage that there will be a gradual, phased-in approach to resumption of operations”.

“Full resumption will also be dependent on a variety of factors, including international, national, and/or local arrangements, the status of the continued spread of Covid-19 in specific locales, and advancements in detection, treatment and prevention,” the association stated.

The full report can be found on the EU’s Healthy Gateways platform.