CDC Director Warns That Cruise Ship Travel Exacerbates The Global Spread Of COVID19

Today Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), announced in a new report that cruise ship travel exacerbates the global spread of COVID19 and has extended the CDC No Sail Order through the end of October. This puts into law the self-imposed suspension most cruise lines operating in the US signed early last month.

While this order is fully supported by the Cruise Line International Association, which represents cruise line interests, some CLIA members have already resumed operations in Europe and Asia with uncertain results.

According to the CDC, the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread rapidly around the world with no approved treatment or vaccine. By July, the date of the second modification and extension of the No Sail Order, there were over 13 million confirmed cases but today there are a cumulative total of over 33 million cases with almost 1 million deaths worldwide and, even in countries that have managed to slow the rate of transmission, the CDC  believes the risks for COVID-19 resurgence remains high.

This order specifically pertains to all commercial, non-cargo, passenger vessels with the capacity to carry more than 250 passengers and crew with an overnight itinerary.

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