Aug. 5 updates: Carnival, Celebrity, Bahamas require tests, first Harwich call, EpiShuttle on PC-24sAug. 5 updates: Carnival, Celebrity, Bahamas require tests, first Harwich call, EpiShuttle on PC-24s

Masks are back at Carnival, testing added for all

Carnival Cruise Line updated its shipboard mask policy and will soon require pre-cruise COVID-19 tests for fully vaccinated passengers.

Carnival said the changes are in response to the increasing number of US cases caused by the Delta variant, and they are expected to be temporary.

For sailings starting Aug. 7, masks are encouraged when indoors and will be required of all passengers in certain areas. Anyone 2 and older will have to mask up in elevators and in designated indoor entertainment areas, all retail shops and in the casino, except when eating or drinking. Everyone will be required to wear masks before being seated in main dining rooms and in the Lido Buffet area, and occasionally in other designated areas where larger numbers  of peiple may congregate (signs will be posted). Additionally, masks are required at any indoor activity with children under 12.

Vaccinated passengers are not required to maintain physical distance on board.

Effective Aug. 14, fully vaccinated travelers must present negative results of a PCR or antigen taken within three days before their embarkation.

Celebrity Cruises adds testing from US, too

On Celebrity Millennium cruises to Alaska and Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Equinox cruises from Florida all travelers must present a negative PCR or antigen test taken within three days before embarkation. This applies to Alaska and Florida cruises departing Aug. 6 through Sept. 6.

Royal Caribbean International recently added testing, as well.

And the Bahamas

Effective Aug. 6, fully vaccinated travelers to the Bahamas will have to present a negative COVID-19 test — antigen or PCR — taken no more than five days before their arrival.

The also applies to children ages 2 to 11.

Golden Horizon first to arrive at Harwich

The UK’s Hutchison Ports Harwich International welcomed the first cruise ship since the start of the pandemic with the arrival of Tradewind Voyages’ Golden Horizon. 

It is the first time the vessel has visited the port.  

‘We are delighted to welcome Golden Horizon on its first call at Harwich International,’ said Chris Lewis, chief executive, Hutchison Ports UK, ‘This is the first of two calls for Golden Horizon this year and the start of what we hope will be a long-term relationship with Tradewind Voyages.’ 

He commended the square-rigged sailing vessel for being ‘very much up-to-date and in tune with the drive towards greater sustainability.’ 

On departure from Harwich, the ship will undertake a 10-day cruise along the UK’s south coast.

Pilatus offers medevac PC-24s with the EpiShuttle

During a 2015 Ebola outbreak in Africa, Norway’s EpiGuard developed a modular isolation system that's now in use for COVID-19 medical evacuations. The EpiShuttle features a modular reusable design and eight medical airlocks to ensure safe patient handling.

Together with its development partner, Aerolite AG, Pilatus now offers integration of the EpiShuttle in medevac PC-24s

Together with development partner Aerolite AG, Pilatus now offers integration of the EpiShuttle in medevac PC-24s. Using an adapter, the EpiShuttle is attached to a universal transport trolley allowing transfer movements on the ground and positioning in the cabin. Loading is performed with a device that automatically transfers the EpiShuttle unit with patient into the cabin. The completely flat cabin floor and rollers on the transport trolley ensure the unit can be freely pushed into the desired position, where it is then secured directly to the seat rails using retaining devices.

Patient monitoring is ensured by medical equipment placed on a cradle next to the EpiShuttle and powered by the on-board power supply. As with regular patient transport operations, medical personnel occupy cabin seats in the immediate vicinity of the EpiShuttle, and can attend to the patient at any time.

'With the EpiShuttle’s features of reclinable backrest, transparent hard-top and excellent patient access, their passengers, both patient and staff, will have a safer and better ride. We are also impressed by Aerolite’s ingenuity when integrating the EpiShuttle into the medevac PC-24, an excellent aircraft for the transfer of infected patients with the EpiShuttle,' EpiGuard CEO Ellen Cathrine Andersen said.