(TAN): A panel of globally recognized medical and scientific experts has recommended relentless focus on prevention and other measures, including testing of guests and crew members, to mitigate the public health risks associated with pandemic in a cruise ship environment.
The Healthy Sail Panel submitted its report to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in response to a CDC request for public comment that will be used to inform future public health guidance and preventative measures relating to travel on cruise ships. The Panel, formed in June by Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., is chaired by Governor Mike Leavitt, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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The report includes 74 detailed best practices to protect the public health and safety of guests, crew and the communities of cruise ships. Recommendations include testing, the use of face coverings, and enhanced sanitation procedures on ships and in terminals. “The Healthy Sail Panel spent the last four months studying how to better protect the health and safety of guests and crew aboard cruise ships,” said Dr. Gottlieb. “Taken as a comprehensive approach, we believe the Panel’s robust public health recommendations will help inform strategies for a safe resumption of sailing.”
Gov. Leavitt said: “This Panel undertook an ambitious, cross-disciplinary, public health examination to develop standards and guidelines that create the highest level of safety in the complex environment of a cruise ship. The Panel’s recommendations are grounded in the best scientific and medical information available and are intended to meaningfully mitigate public health risks to those who sail.”
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Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group and Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line said each company will use the Panel’s recommendations to inform the development of new, detailed operating protocols, which will be submitted to the CDC and other authorities around the globe for review and approval. The Panel’s work is open sourced for others to incorporate in their protocols as well.
The Healthy Sail Panel identified five areas of focus every cruise operator should address to improve health and safety for guests and crew, and reduce the risk of infection and spread of Covid-19 on cruise ships. These are Testing, Screening and Exposure Reduction; Sanitation and Ventilation; Response, Contingency Planning and Execution; Destination and Excursion Planning; and Mitigating Risks for Crew Members. In each category, the Healthy Sail Panel created practical and actionable recommendations to address specific safety concerns.
