Tarling's comment came during ‘COVID-19 Prevention and Response - Health, Safety, and Security Roles, Responsibilities, Challenges and Best Practices,' moderated by John Sifling, president, Broad Reach Maritime.
Donnie Brown, VP maritime policy (environmental, security & health), Cruise Lines International Association, went on to discuss the medical working group that aims to help the US return to cruising. ‘There’s a number of different medical and public health measures… in the event we have a case detected on board,' he said.
100% testing
Among these were the Healthy Sail Panel recommendations, including 100% testing of passengers and crew, quarantine before crew commence work duties, periodic testing of crew and mask wearing.
Simon Mockler, head of advisory, Americas, DNV GL, said the industry has ‘not had a strong enough framework in place internationally’ and ‘emerging pathogen risk’ was ‘not going away any time soon.’
Other panelists included Bud Darr, EVP maritime policy & government affairs, MSC Group, and Paul Austin, head of safety, security, crisis & business continuity management (SVP), Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services.
