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Healthy Sail Panel Recommendations
— Click here to view the full report —
The recommendations of the Healthy Sail Panel, sponsored by Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, are now available. Here is a status update and summary of findings:
Healthy Return to Sailing – Status Update and Summary of Findings
The recommendations of the Healthy Sail Panel have been submitted to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in response to a request for public comment on the CDC’s current No Sail Order. The Healthy Sail Panel, formed in June, consists of globally recognized experts experienced in various disciplines including public health, infectious diseases, biosecurity and marine operations. The Panel has spent the last several months studying how to best protect the health and safety of guests and crew.
They’ve made 74 recommendations across the following five core focus areas that every cruise operator should address to reduce the risk of infection and spread of COVID-19* on cruise ships:
– Testing, Screening and Exposure Reduction
– Sanitation and Ventilation
– Response, Contingency Planning and Execution
– Destination and Excursion Planning
– Mitigating Risks for Crew Members
Among the recommendations are key strategies such as:
– Taking aggressive measures to prevent COVID-19 from entering a ship through robust education, screening and testing of both crew and guests prior to embarkation
– Reducing transmission via air management strategies and sanitation practices
– Implementing detailed plans for addressing positive infection onboard, including contingencies for onboard treatment, isolation and evacuation
– Closely controlling shore excursions
– Enhanced protection for crew member
It will take several weeks for the CDC to review the recommendations of the Healthy Sail Panel and to respond with feedback.
*Note: The report references SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). This is the virus that causes the disease COVID-19.