NEWS
CDC Says U.S. Cruises Could Start Sailing Again This Summer
Source: Port Miami
In a letter of optimism to the beleaguered cruise industry, the Centers for Disease Control announced U.S. sailings could resume in July if they meet certain requirements.
One of the biggest takes from the CDC’s letter to the cruise industry is that if cruise lines want their ships to resume sailing quickly, 95 percent of passengers and 98 percent of crew members will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
According to the CDC’s letter, other COVID safety measures including social distancing, masks, and COVID-19 testing, will remain in place. Fully-vaccinated passengers should be able to skip having to take a PCR-lab test ahead of time and instead take a rapid antigen test upon embarkation, USA Today reports.
“This puts cruise ships closer to open water sailing sooner,” the CDC said. “CDC looks forward to continued engagement with the industry and urges cruise lines to submit Phase 2A port agreements as soon as possible to maintain the timeline of passenger voyages by mid-July.”
