CDC Cautions No Cruising As Onboard COVID Cases Soar
In recent weeks there has been a dramatic increase in onboard COVID-19 cases on cruise ships in US waters. This has led the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to advise travelers to avoid cruises, regardless of their vaccination status.
Dramatic increase in COVID cases on cruise ships
The latest advice concerning cruise ships comes at a time when cruise ships operating in US waters reported 5,000 cases of COVID-19 to the CDC. The cases were recorded between December 15 and December 29, which is a startling increase from the previous two weeks, where only 162 cases were reported.
The CDC said on its website, “It is especially important that travelers who are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide, regardless of vaccination status.”
“Even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants,” the statement continued.
Omicron variant more transmissible
The latest advice from the CDC comes as the Omicron variant is seen to be more easily spread between people in close proximity. This means that the chances of transmitting the virus on a cruise ship, between people from varying locations, is highly likely right now, even for passengers who are fully vaccinated.
The CDC advises anyone who has booked a cruise and plans to go ahead to take certain precautions against the virus. They advise that anyone traveling soon should ensure they receive a booster jab prior to travel. It is also advised to wear face masks in all shared spaces onboard the cruise ship.
Meanwhile, the CDC also recommends that anyone who does go on a cruise should take an antigen test between one and three days prior to departure. This should be followed by another antigen test three to five days after the trip, regardless of passengers’ vaccination status or symptoms.
Status warning on cruise ships
On top of the recommendations, the CDC has also bumped up the travel risk level for cruise ships from Level 3 to Level 4, at which level the risk for contracting COVID-19 is currently “very high.”
A color status classification has been created by the CDC for cruise ships, broken into five color-coded classifications, last updated on December 30, 2021, broken down as follows:
Green – No reported cases of COVID-19 or CLI
Orange – Reported cases of COVID-19 are below the threshold for CDC investigation
Yellow – Reported cases of COVID-19 have met the threshold for CDC investigation
Red – Reported cases of COVID-19 are at or above the threshold for CDC investigation. Additional public health measures are in place
Gray – CDC has not reviewed or confirmed the cruise ship’s health and safety protocols
At the present time, more than 90 cruise ships at sea are on the yellow level – at this level, an outbreak on a ship is actively being investigated by the CDC.
On top of this, the Omicron variant is affecting how some destination ports view the arrival of a cruise ship with cases on board. Over the past week, a number of ships were denied entry to ports due to the number of passengers on board who have tested positive.
Of the ports that are still open to cruise ships, Mexico says ships with COVID-19 cases are welcome, but only passengers with no symptoms can enter the country.
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