USG and COVID torpedos the US cruise industry

Over the past weekend Vice President Mike Pence met with cruise industry executives, amidst the Grand Princess circling at sea. At the presser following the confab, the Vice President rocketed a torpedo shot into the midships of the cruise industry with this admonishment:

“This would be a good time to practice common sense, and to avoid activities, to include traveling on a cruise line.”

~ Vice President Mike Pence

This was shortly followed by the U.S. Department of State issuing a warning.

There you have it.

If you are a United States citizen, the U.S. government is advising you against traveling on cruise ships during this period of COVID-19 uncertainty.

In an effort to ameliorate the situation, Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) issued the following guidelines to reduce the likelihood that Novel Coronovirus (COVID-19) would present itself on future cruises (Diamond Princess and Grand Princess experiences not withstanding).

As a result of these changes, which are effective immediately, CLIA members are to:

• Deny boarding to all persons who have travelled from, visited or transited via airports in South Korea, Iran, China, including Hong Kong and Macau, and any municipality in Italy subject to lockdown (quarantine) measures by the Italian Government, as designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within 14 days prior to embarkation.
  
• Conduct illness screening for all persons who have travelled from, visited or transited via airports in any destinations listed on the U.S. CDC “Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel” page within 14 days before embarkation. Illness screening includes symptom history checks for fever, cough and difficulty breathing in the 14 days before embarkation and taking of temperature.
  
• Conduct temperature screening, as soon as they are capable, at initial embarkation for all persons boarding. Any individual with a temperature detected at or above 100.4° F / 38° C is to receive secondary screening to include a medical assessment.
• Deny boarding to all persons who, within 14 days prior to embarkation, have had contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having COVID-19, or who are currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to COVID-19.
  
• Conduct pre-boarding screening necessary to effectuate these prevention measures. Enhanced screening and initial medical support are to be provided, as needed, to any persons exhibiting symptoms of suspected COVID-19.

SECURELY TRAVEL ADVISES:

Securely Travel is coming down on the side of, avoid cruise travel at this time. If you have reservations, take advantage of the ability to reschedule or obtain a refund, as most (if not all) cruise lines have loosened up their cancellation policies. The experiences of the passengers on the Diamond and Grand Princess should be reviewed as part of your decision train. The decision is personal to each traveler. If you do, be prepared with medication and the like for your trip to be potentially extended by two weeks or more should there be a COVID-19 issue involving your ship.

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