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CLIA proposes replacing Australia cruise ban with path to resumption

The cruise industry is calling on Australia to replace the ban on cruising, which expires December 17, with a conditional process that would allow a carefully managed resumption in 2021.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

November 29, 2020

2 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

CLIA Australasia MD Joel Katz said extensive new health measures have been outlined to government agencies in detail as the industry responds to COVID-19 and plans a pathway to revival.

A$5bn industry

He said Australia’s relative success in stemming community transmission of COVID-19 and a layered strategy for the resumption of cruising creates an opportunity for a tightly managed and phased revival of the country’s A$5bn-a-year cruise industry.

Local cruises for locals

‘This would initially involve restricted local cruises for local residents only, with limited passenger numbers, 100% testing of guests and crew and extensive screening and sanitation protocols in place,’ he said.

Under the proposals presented to government agencies, cruises would initially operate within state or national borders while travel restrictions are in place.

Australian ‘bubble’

Ships and crew would undergo all quarantine procedures and then remain within the Australian safe-zone or ‘bubble.’

Katz said the plan presented to government is extensive and meets or exceeds the Communicable Diseases Network of Australia guidelines.

Key points to the strategy include:

     Plans to quarantine ships and crew on return to Australia and for ongoing crew movements

    100% pre-boarding health screening and COVID-19 testing for all passengers and crew

    Boarding denied to anyone with exposure to COVID-19 or who has recently arrived in Australia

    Daily health monitoring and temperature checks on board

    Limited passenger numbers and capacity management controls that take into account the size, layout and design of each ship

    On-board venue restrictions to comply with social distancing (use of masks as required)

    Designated crew to serve in buffets (no self-service)

    Enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols that meet and exceed all national and state standards for equivalent venues ashore

    Staggered embarkation and disembarkation to reduce crowding

    Distancing and hygiene protocols within cruise terminals to match those on board

    Risk assessments for port visits and shoreside activities

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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