The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has modified the COVID-19 rules required for all cruise ships. These changes focus on lowering the threshold required for cruise ships to be labeled as a “highly-vaccinated” vessel.
The CDC made the announcement for these rule changes on May 5, 2022. These guidelines were originally created and announced in 2021 before cruise ships were allowed to resume operations after the COVID-19 pandemic started. The regulations were imposed by the CDC, requiring cruise companies to provide proof of the percentage of crew members and passengers who were fully vaccinated. If they did not meet those requirements, the cruise line was required to hold “test cruises” to ensure that other safety protocols were working before officially beginning business. If the cruise line did not follow the rules and did not provide proof of vaccination for both passengers and crew members, the cruise line faced the possibility of fines.
The original guidelines for cruise ships to be labeled as “highly-vaccinated” required the cruise line to show that 98 percent of their crew members and 95 percent of their passengers were fully vaccinated. The announcement from the CDC on May 5, 2022, involved lowering the cruise ship vaccination status threshold from 95 percent of all passengers being vaccinated to 90 percent of all passengers.
The CDC requires that cruise lines that opt into their COVID-19 program must share the vaccination status of their vessels with the CDC. This information is then posted on the CDC’s web site, providing the consumer with information on all cruise vessels included in the program, as well as listing the ship’s color status, which shows the number of COVID-19 cases reported on that vessel.
Additionally, the CDC clarified its requirements regarding isolation cabin requirements. Previously, the CDC required the isolation cabins provide negative air pressure. However, negative air pressure is no longer required for isolation cabins. Isolation cabins must still be in a separate area from the rest of the cabins.
Previously, the CDC had warned the public against taking cruises because of the risk of contracting COVID-19. Now, they strongly advise those taking a cruise be fully-vaccinated, including receiving boosters when eligible, prior to boarding a cruise ship.
Aronfeld Trial Lawyers is a personal injury firm located in Miami, Florida since 1991. We have fought hard to hold cruise lines accountable when they put their profits ahead of passenger safety. We are available 24/7 and encourage you to contact us even if you are still on your cruise. The sooner we can begin our investigation and preservation of key evidence, such as the CCTV footage of your trip and fall, slip and fall, assault, or other type of injury the more likely we will be able to understand and prove how the incident occurred. Remember, the cruise lines have the most aggressive and well-funded defense lawyers in the world- protecting their profits. You need an experienced legal advocate in your corner who will fight to obtain the compensation you deserve for lost wages, medical expenses, transportation reimbursement and pain and suffering. Call us today and speak with a cruise ship claims lawyer about your potential claim- toll free 1-866-597-4529, 305-441-0440, or by email. We are ready to help.
Source: CDC adjusts COVID-19 rules for cruise ships (nypost.com)
