CDC Praises Cruise Industry, Will Not Extend Conditional Sail Order
What people in the cruise industry like myself have known for some time, The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has finally acknowledged that the cruise industry has “stepped up” to keep ships sailing while doing the most to keep all crew and guests safe and healthy.
During US Senate hearing today, Sen Murkowski asked CDC director about Conditional Sail Order being allowed to expire. CDC director said she expects it to expire and that #cruise industry stepped up and exceeded guidance order.
— Stewart Chiron (@CruiseGuy) January 11, 2022
During a Senate hearing yesterday, Tuesday, January 11, 2022, Dr. Rochelle Walensky stated, “The fact that the industry has stepped up and is now interested in doing and exceeding the compliance with the Conditional Sail Order without the order even necessarily needing to be in place in a real testimony to how well that has worked and how we work collaboratively with the industry.”
Photo: Disney Cruise Line
In addition to acknowledging the steps the cruise industry has taken to keep COVID cases as a minimum, Walensky also looks to let the Conditional Sail Order expire this Saturday, January 15, 2022 though she see most cruise lines keeping all current protocols in place with the rapid increase in the Omicron variant
Walensky said, “I anticipate with ships following the Conditional Sail Order we will continue to do the oversight, watch, and (provide) technical assistance and support in every single way.”
Image Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line
Walensky and the CDC’s praise of the cruise industry is welcome after cruises being halted indefinitely for over a year when the pandemic began back in March of 2020. While cruising from the United States did resume this past Summer, the CDC recently went as far to say that people should avoid taking taking cruise vacations.
Credit: Disney
But, as of yesterday, it appears the CDC has changed their tune after Walensky’s comments and allowing the Conditional Sail Order to expire later this week. This makes sense when you realize the cruise industry is the only industry in the United States Travel and Tourism sector to require both vaccination and testing for crew and guests.
Image Credit: CLIA
What do you think about the CDC’s recent statements about the cruise industry? Let us know in the comments below!
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Source Credit: Cruise Industry News and Travel Weekly
