(TAN): Costa Cruises has launched the “Costa Safety Protocol”, a new health and hygiene protocol designed to guarantee the best holiday experience with maximum safety. The cruise line has not yet resumed operations that it had stopped owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supported by a panel of independent scientific experts in public health, Costa Cruises has worked in line with several global and national health guidelines to develop the “Costa Safety Protocol”, the cruise company said in a statement.
The protocol includes a comprehensive set of measures and procedures, including the safety of crew members as they return to work on board, the booking process, embarking and disembarking operations in port, life and medical care on board and shore excursions.
With regards to crew, Costa intends to pre-screen each crew member in their home country, including two different swab tests for evaluation of suspected COVID-19 cases. Upon arrival in Italy, they are tested a third time; those confirmed negative are allowed on board while respecting a 14-day quarantine period. Their health conditions are monitored with temperature checks every day and the swab tests for all of crew members every month.
Measures for guests’ safety include upgraded digital procedures, such as online check-in and self-certification, which can be done from home, and an increased role of digital technology such as, for example, the possibility to book services using the dedicated MyCosta app.
[ALSO READ: Seychelles Has Reopened- 5 Reasons Why This East African Paradise Is On Our Bucket List]
There will be health screenings with temperature checks for guests, carried out at every access and exit to the ship in all the ports of call included in the itinerary, and once on board it will be allowed at any time of the day with self-service electronic devices. Physical distancing will be respected upon arrival in each cruise terminal, with similar measures for shore tours, which have been redesigned with small groups of people and staggered departures, with sanitization of buses before and after each use.
Life on board will also be redesigned by the new procedures – first and foremost by a reduction in the number of guests, in order to guarantee appropriate distancing and avoid public gatherings. The use of masks will be mandatory when indoor, while outdoors, it will be required in all situations where distancing isnot possible, according to the regulations valid onshore.
[ALSO READ: Air Canada Reports USD 1.5 Billion Loss In Q2, Revenues Down 89%]
The interiors and outside decks of each ship will be subjected to more frequent cleaning and sanitization. The on-board ventilation systems have been equipped with new filters that ensure high filtering efficiency of fresh air from the outside, minimizing the recirculation of the internal one.
Entertainment programs and catering will be also rearranged in compliance with the new safety standards. The entertainment offer has been modified to allow more shows during the day for smaller groups of people.
As for catering, self service restaurants will not be operated and all meals will be served by the Costa staff. Onboard medical care for all guests and crew will be available around the clock.
