CDC raises warning on cruise line travel to very high risk for coronavirus

[November 23, 2020]    (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Saturday it recommended that all people avoid cruise ship travel as the risk of COVID-19 on liners is very high.

Cruise ships are seen docked at Miami port as the tourism industry is affected by the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 26, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

The CDC advised passengers who decide to go on a cruise should get tested 3-5 days after their trip and stay home for 7 days after travel, even if they test negative.

Last month, the agency issued a framework for a phased resumption of cruise ship operations after a no-sail order issued in March in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic was to expire.

The CDC said earlier that from March 1 through Sept. 28, data showed "a total of 3,689 confirmed cases of COVID-19 or COVID-like illness cases on cruise ships and 41 deaths."

(Reporting by Rama Venkat in Bengaluru; editing by Grant McCool)

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