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CDC announces modifications and extension of No Sail Order for all cruise ships

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 10 April 2020 10 April 2020

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced yesterday the extension of a No Sail Order for all cruise ships.

“We are working with the cruise line industry to address the health and safety of crew at sea as well as communities surrounding U.S. cruise ship points of entry,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield. “The measures we are taking today to stop the spread of COVID-19 are necessary to protect Americans, and we will continue to provide critical public health guidance to the industry to limit the impacts of COVID-19 on its workforce throughout the remainder of this pandemic.”

The No Sail Order reinforces the strong action by President Donald J. Trump and the White House Coronavirus Task Force to combat the spread of COVID-19 in the United States. President Trump acted early and decisively to implement travel restrictions on foreign nationals who had recently been to China and Europe and by issuing the 30 Days to Slow the Spread guidelines. These containment and mitigation strategies have been a critical component of the United States COVID-19 response, but despite these efforts, cruise ship travel markedly increases the risk and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak within the United States.

In recent weeks, at least 10 cruise ships reported crew or passengers that tested positive or experienced respiratory symptoms or influenza-like illness. Currently, there are approximately 100 cruise ships remaining at sea off the East Coast, West Coast, and Gulf Coast, with nearly 80,000 crew onboard. Additionally, CDC is aware of 20 cruise ships at port or anchorage in the United States with known or suspected COVID-19 infection among the crew who remain onboard.

There are several public health concerns when crew members become ill while onboard the cruise ships. As we have seen with the passenger illness response on cruise ships, safely evacuating, triaging, and repatriating cruise ship crew has involved complex logistics, incurs financial costs at all levels of government, and diverts resources away from larger efforts to suppress or mitigate COVID-19. The addition of further COVID-19 cases from cruise ships also places healthcare workers at substantial increased risk.

Some of these ships off the coast of the United States have crew that are not critical to maintain the seaworthiness or basic safe operation of the cruise ships, such as the vessel’s hotel and hospitality staff. The U.S. Government remains committed to humanitarian medevac for individuals in dire need of life-saving support.

The CDC, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Department of Homeland Security have been working with the industry to determine the most appropriate public health strategy to limit the impact of COVID-19 at cruise ship ports of entry in the United States. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) voluntarily suspended cruise ship operations in March in conjunction with the earlier No Sail Order issued March 14. The industry has since been working to build an illness response framework to combat COVID-19 on ships with international crew members who remain on board and at sea.

This order ceases operations of cruise ships in waters in which the United States may exert jurisdiction and requires that they develop a comprehensive, detailed operational plan approved by CDC and the USCG to address the COVID-19 pandemic through maritime focused solutions, including a fully implementable response plan with limited reliance on state, local, and federal government support. These plans would help prevent, mitigate, and respond to the spread of COVID-19, by:

– monitoring of passengers and crew medical screenings;
– training crew on COVID-19 prevention;
– managing and responding to an outbreak on board; and
– submitting a plan to USCG and CDC for review

This Order shall continue in operation until the earliest of three situations. First, the expiration of the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ declaration that COVID-19 constitutes a public health emergency. Second, the CDC Director rescinds or modifies the order based on specific public health or other considerations. Or third, 100 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.

Additional information in the order includes:

– Cruise ship operators are not allowed to disembark travelers (passengers or crew) at ports or stations, except as directed by the USCG, in consultation with HHS/CDC personnel, and as appropriate, as coordinated with federal, state, and local authorities.
– Cruise ship operators should not embark or re-embark any crew member, except as approved by the USCG, in consultation with HHS/CDC personnel, until further notice.
– While in port, cruise ship operators shall observe health precautions directed by HHS/CDC personnel.
– The cruise ship operator should comply with all HHS/CDC, USCG, and other federal agency instructions to follow CDC recommendations and guidance for any public health actions relating to passengers, crew, ship, or any article or thing onboard the ship, as needed, including by making ship’s manifests and logs available and collecting any specimens for COVID-19 testing.

Genting reveals highlights of preventive health measures

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 08 April 2020 08 April 2020

Genting Cruise Lines today announced the introduction of enhanced preventive measures for its Dream Cruises and Star Cruises fleet with an increase in safety levels for the cruise industry due to the continuing COVID-19 situation globally.

1) Embarkation and Disembarkation

a) Mandatory temperature screening and pre-boarding health declarations for all guests

b) Infrared fever screening system at the ship gangway

c) Higher frequency with increased levels of sanitization and disinfection at the ship gangway and passenger walkways

d) Stringent checks for all embarking individuals including crew travel documents; guests aged 70 years & above to provide a doctor’s certificate of fitness for travel

e) Online check-in for guests to receive designated arrival time at the cruise terminal to minimize crowd congestion

f) Additional waiting areas for cruise boarding & disembarkation (with staggered times)

g) Compliance with all local port and health authorities’ regulations

2) Guest accommodations

a) Higher frequency with increased levels of sanitization and disinfection in guest cabins with hospital grade disinfectants, including:

–Twice daily wipe-down of guest cabins and guests cabin corridors

– Fogging of vacant guest cabins and guests cabin corridors

b) Clean and disinfect guest bathrooms with heavy-duty alkaline bathroom cleaner and disinfectant.

c) Timely removal of food items from cabins to prevent spoilage and cultivation of microorganisms and bacteria.

d) Timely housekeeping cabin turnover; bedsheets and linens professionally cleaned and disinfected at high temperatures

e) Injection of diluted cleaning solution into drains to avoid clogged pipes and to prevent bacterial growth

f) In case of sickness, thorough cleaning and disinfection with hospital grade disinfectant and fogging the cabin after.

3) Common public areas

a) All public areas on board will undergo a two-tier sanitization process with thorough cleansing, fogging and wiping using hospital grade disinfectant. On-board Ship Venues and Cleaning Frequency:

– Elevators: Every 2 hours

– Public areas and facilities: 2 – 10 times daily

– Spa and amenities: Min 2 times daily

– Other Public Areas: To adjust disinfection frequency accordingly

b) Common public areas will be sanitized from once daily to 2 - 4 times daily and frequent touchpoints such as handrails, lift buttons, table-tops, door handles etc. will be sterilized every hour or less during peak hours (Embarkation & Disembarkation time, returning from shore excursions, meal periods)

c) Frequent usage of heavy-duty neutral PH floor-cleaning agent to disinfect all floor areas of the ship

d) Sanitizer dispensers available at various public areas and crew members stationed at key on board venues to provide hand sanitation.

4) Food hygiene practices & standards

a) F&B restaurants / bar areas, including galleys, will be cleaned and sanitized 3 times daily, during and after service

b) Guests are encouraged to wash hands before entry and use sanitizer dispensers available at F&B outlet entrances/exits

c) Guest seating will ensure ample spacing; disposable cutlery will be provided, upon request.

d) Self-service at F&B buffet restaurants will be suspended. All food & beverages will be served to guests by crew members wearing face masks & disposable gloves.

e) Culinary use of wild animals and related products are strictly prohibited.

f) Stringent procurement guidelines will be enforced and product sourcing from highly affected regions will be strictly prohibited.

5) Entertainment and recreational activities

a) Theatres will be sanitized before and after each show; 3D glasses disinfected before and after guest usage (if applicable)

b) Cleaning and disinfection of all toys, games and Kids’ Club facilities twice daily and/or after every use.

c) All duty-free shops and entertainment venues will be disinfected twice daily before and after service.

d) All recreational equipment will be disinfected every 2 hours before guest usage

e) Guests capacity will be limited to half the venue capacity to provide ample space between guests

f) Sanitizer dispensers will be readily available at various venues including entertainment venue entrances/exits.

g) Tour coaches will be limited to half capacity & sanitized frequently; training for tour operators based on guidance from the WHO.

h) Spa & Gym facilities will be sanitized prior to and after usage by guests.

6) Fresh air ventilation systems

a) 100% external fresh air is filtered and supplied to passenger cabins and on board public areas

b) Air filters and cooling coils thoroughly checked, cleaned and replaced to ensure healthy air quality.

7) Medical Centre

a) Isolated wards available in the Medical Centre

b) Contaminated items and medical waste will be properly sealed and disposed according to health and safety guidelines.

c) Used face masks and protective equipment disposed at designated central collection points.

d) Medical equipment and waste bins cleaned, disinfected and washed twice daily with hospital grade disinfectant.

8) Crew members practices & standards

a) Twice daily temperature checks.

b) All Frontline crew are required to wear face masks

c) Housekeeping and F&B crew required to wear disposable gloves.

d) Designated crew may also wear protective garments and eye protection if required.

e) All crew to use anti-bacterial hand soap for at least 20 sec to sanitize hands.

f) Medical Centre Isolation Area staff related to suspected cases are required to:

– wear adequate personal protection (face mask, eye protection, disposable gloves & disposal outer garment)

– follow proper hand washing practices before and after work duty

– update personal health information daily.

g) Provide Training Workshops and pertinent information on health and safety preventive measures

h) Reduction of crew movement

Genting Cruise Lines sets new standards to safeguard health and wellbeing of guests and crew

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 08 April 2020 08 April 2020

Genting Cruise Lines has announced the introduction of enhanced preventive measures for its Dream Cruises and Star Cruises fleet with an increase in safety levels for the cruise industry due to the continuing COVID-19 situation globally. As the health and safety of Genting Cruise Lines’ guests and crew remain its top priority, various precautionary measures with stringent health screening processes in accordance with regional government policies had been implemented from the onset of the pandemic. As a result, to date, there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 among guests or crew while on board or transmitted via any of Genting Cruise Lines’ ships.

In order to further provide peace of mind and better understanding of the implemented precautionary measures for future cruising guests, Genting Cruise Lines has outlined detailed preventive steps for the recommencement of its Dream Cruises and Star Cruises ships in the near future, which is set to become the new norm for preventive standards for the fleet. These include stringent health screening processes and protocols prior to embarkation and disembarkation, as well as thorough sanitization and disinfection and enhanced hygiene practices for guest cabins, various on board public areas and recreational activities, food and beverage safety and also the health of its crew members.

“At Genting Cruise Lines, the safety and health of our guests and crew are of paramount importance to us. With the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak regionally and globally, many guests as well as crew have developed higher awareness and expectations with regards to the safety and preventive measures of cruise ships,” said Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines. “As a responsible cruise company, it is our duty to adopt a pro-active approach to meet and also strive to exceed the growing expectations and concerns of the public. As such, we have carefully reviewed our prevention and response plan with the COVID-19 pandemic in mind to devise and provide enhanced and comprehensive measures across our fleet. We have taken the positive opportunity during this hiatus period to also implement comprehensive crew training to reinforce effective cleaning procedures, health and hygiene protocols and efficient guest interaction, which we will adopt as the new safety norm for our fleet and we hope for the industry too.”

Zhu added: “The public will be pleased to know for instance, that all of Genting Cruise Lines’ ships allow for 100% external fresh air to be filtered and supplied to each passenger cabin as well as on board public areas ensuring a constant and healthy flow of fresh air throughout the vessels. Besides that, isolated wards are available in the Medical Centre and cabins can be converted into quarantine rooms if required.”

To boost confidence in future reservations for guests, Genting Cruise Lines has also launched its “Cruise As You Wish” program in which all new and existing Dream Cruises and Star Cruises bookings prior to or on 30 October 2020 will have the flexibility to cancel up to 48 hours before sailing and receive 100% future cruise credit to be redeemed of any Dream Cruises or Star Cruises sailing embarking on or before 31 March 2021.

“With these detailed preventative measures outlined and shared to the public along with our “Cruise As You Wish” program, it is our hope that future cruise guests will be well-equipped with accurate information and also have a comprehensive understanding of the safety and health protocols and flexible booking options in place across the Dream Cruises and Star Cruises fleet – providing assurance and peace of mind for our future guests,” continued Kent Zhu.

In addition to these enhanced safety and preventive measures, Genting Cruise Lines will further collaborate with the China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA) to contribute to the publishing of a white paper for the cruise industry’s prevention and response plan against COVID-19, providing a comprehensive and unified standard for the cruise industry to ensure the safety and well-being of all cruising guests and crew members.

A further vote of confidence was provided by the Asia Cruise Terminal Association (ACTA). In endorsing the measures, Chairman of ACTA, Singapore Cruise Centre said, “ACTA and all its members endorses Genting Cruise Lines’ initiative and pledge to support these procedures throughout its member ports located across the region including in China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.

U.S. Coast Guard provides an update of cruise ship disembarkations, evacuations

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 06 April 2020 06 April 2020

On Friday, April 3, the cruise ships Zaandam and Rotterdam offloaded more than 1,200 passengers in Port Everglades, Fla. These developments, combined with one remaining disembarkation being coordinated, represents the processing of more than 120 vessels in the last three weeks to remove 250,000 passengers from cruise ships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement published on Saturday.

The Coast Guard, under guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and working with Department of Homeland Security partners Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as well as state and local entities from multiple port jurisdictions, facilitated the safe landing, screening, quarantine and repatriation of these passengers in a manner that has prevented further spread of the COVID-19 virus. Many passengers were brought to safe harbor in the United States when international ports refused entry.

Most of the cruise line industry announced a voluntarily suspension of cruise ship operations from U.S. ports of call on March 13th, and the CDC issued a “No Sail” Order on March 14th to all cruise ships that had not voluntarily suspended operations.

“We commend the decision by the cruise industry to cease operations. However, pausing a global tourist industry does not happen instantaneously or easily,” said Vice Admiral Dan Abel, Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations. “The Federal, state, local and industry cooperation to achieve this feat truly represents the whole-of-nation approach directed by the President and is essential to fighting the spread of this virus and working to minimize the loss of life.”

The drawdown of passenger operations is a major milestone, but it does not eliminate U.S. government concerns for cruise ships and their crews.

There are 114 cruise ships, carrying 93,000 crew members, either in or near U.S. ports and waters. This includes 73 cruise ships, with 52,000 crew members, moored or anchored in U.S. ports and anchorages. Another 41 cruise ships, with 41,000 crew members, are underway and still in vicinity of the United States. The cruise industry has an ongoing obligation for the care, safety and welfare of their seafarers.

The Coast Guard is a lifesaving service, and since March 7th, when COVID-19 cases on cruise ships operating around the U.S. escalated, the service has enabled 31 life-saving medevacs.