(TAN): MSC Cruises’ CEO Gianni Onorato has revealed the full details of the company’s comprehensive health and safety protocol that has been developed to support the restart of operations in the Mediterranean. The protocol has been designed to protect the health and safety of guests, crew as well as the local communities that the company’s ships will visit.
MSC Cruises has been working closely with different authorities in the countries where the company’s ships will call, to develop a comprehensive protocol. A dedicated task force, with the input and support of leading external medical experts, developed a protocol with new MSC Cruises specific operating procedures that go beyond the actual regional and national guidelines and effectively set a new standard.
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Additionally, RINA, the independent maritime certification corporation, has verified that the protocol meets the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) Guidance, which incorporates additional health standards including those from the EU Healthy Gateways Joint Action.
The new procedures include universal COVID-19 testing for all guests and crew prior to embarkation, protected ashore visits at each destination only with an MSC Cruises excursion as added level of protection for guests and the introduction of a COVID Protection Plan for guests. With all of these measures in place MSC Cruises aims to offer guests the safest possible holiday.
MSC Cruises has worked to encompass every aspect of the guest’s journey from the moment of booking to embarkation, life on board and through to the return back home, whilst preserving the uniqueness of the guest experience.
Health and safety protocol
MSC Cruises has engaged leading global healthcare provider Aspen Medical to assist with the development of the protocol and operating procedures. In addition, a blue-ribbon COVID Expert Group has been established, a panel of highly qualified and internationally respected experts to inform and review initiatives and health practices.
The protocol includes:
1. Universal health screening of guests prior to embarkation that comprises three comprehensive steps – a temperature check, a health questionnaire and a COVID-19 swab test. Depending on the screening results and according to the guest’s medical or travel history, a secondary health screening or testing will take place.
Any guest who tests positive, displays symptoms or a temperature will be denied boarding.
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2. Elevated sanitation and cleaning measures supported by the introduction of new cleaning methods, the use of hospital-grade disinfectant products and the sanitation of the air on board with UV-C light technology that kills 99.97% of microbes.
3. Social distancing through the reduction of the overall capacity of guests on board, allowing for more space for guests, approx. 10 m² per person based on 70% overall capacity. Venue capacity will be reduced, activities will be modified to allow for smaller groups and guests should pre-book services and activities to manage guest numbers.
When social distancing is not possible, guests will be asked to wear a face mask, for instance in the lifts. The face masks will be provided daily to guests in the cabin and will be available around the ship.
4. Enhanced medical facilities and services with highly qualified staff trained, the necessary equipment to test, evaluate and treat suspected COVID-19 patients and the availability of free treatment at the onboard Medical Center for any guest with symptoms. Dedicated isolation cabins will be available to enable isolation of any suspected cases and close contacts.
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5. A contingency response plan will be activated if a suspected case is identified, in close cooperation with the national health authorities. The suspected case and close contacts will follow isolation measures and may be disembarked according to local and national regulations.
MSC Cruises has introduced a new MSC COVID-19 Protection Plan to provide guests with additional peace of mind for the summer cruises, for guests who are resident in Schengen countries.This will cover the guest if they become infected prior to their departure if they are not able to travel, during the cruise for medical expenses and after the cruise if the guest falls sick. In addition to this, guests should also choose their usual travel and health insurance cover.
Does the above protocols also included in the MSC South African cruises?