CNN World announced U.S. Centers for Disease Control is investigating COVID-19 outbreaks on cruise ships on December 28, 2021. These are typically large modern vessels offering round-trip leisure voyages, with shore excursions at various ports. However, the relatively congested conditions on board may be conducive to spreading infections. Therefore CDC is investigating cruise ship outbreaks, to assess compliance with its recommendations.
CDC Policy on Cruise Ships Operating in U.S. Waters
Centers for Disease Control policy says ‘cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission’ citing the link below. Therefore, it strives to ensure operations are conducted in a way that reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission. It includes crew members, passengers, and port personnel in its definition.
A CDC order is currently in place applying to everyone on board ‘maritime conveyances traveling into, within, or out of the United States’. This stipulates wearing face masks while on board vessels, and at U.S. transportation hubs including seaports and ferry terminals. However, there is a waiver for outdoor areas aboard these maritime conveyances.
The definition of ‘maritime conveyance’ is broad. That’s because maritime transport includes passengers, crew, and cargo among items conveyed for commerce, recreation, and military purposes. Moreover, shipping routes include oceans, lakes, rivers and canals.
Legal Basis for Cruise Ship Outbreaks Under CDC Investigation
CDC is a U.S. government agency, with authority to enforce in areas under United States jurisdiction. It previously defined its policies in the following two documents:
1… Firstly, a general framework for conditional sailing orders for cruise ships. These are binding on foreign-flagged vessels intending to enter, or operating in U.S. waters excluding Florida.
2… And secondly, multi-faceted guidelines, orders, and instructions for cruise ship operators in U.S. waters, to help them avoid and deal with infections among passengers and crew.
CDC is currently investigating cruise ship outbreaks on 86 vessels meeting or exceeding its thresholds of concern. However, we should not treat this announcement with panic because the actual numbers are low. The objective is to understand why this happens, and how to avoid it happening in future.
Breaking News
Omicron Infection Boosts Delta Resistance
Shorter Times for COVID Isolation in U.S.
Preview Image: Commercial Shipping Routes
