The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) submitted a proposal to Vice President Michael Pence giving emphasis on preventing, detecting and caring during the coronavirus outbreak. The new plan includes travel restriction to travelers of a certain age and those with chronic health issues.
CLIA did not share any more details, but Fox News reports that the proposal would deny boarding to any person of the age of 70, unless they present a doctor’s note verifying their fitness to travel.
Mr. Pence will review the plan in the next 24 hours, as the President’s wants to make cruise lines safer, as well as ensure that no one in a vulnerable population is going out on a cruise.
According to CLIA, the proposal showcases the cruise industry’s commitment to public health and safety and its willingness to address the challenge the community is facing.
Before this plan, CLIA had announced additional enhanced screening measures in response to the outbreak. These included denying boarding to all persons who have traveled from, visited or transited via airports in South Korea, Iran, China, including Hong Kong and Macau, and any municipality in Italy subject to quarantine measures by the Italian government, as designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within 14 days prior to embarkation.
Those who have had contact with anyone suspected of having or diagnosed with COVID-19 will also be denied boarding.
What is more, illness screenings will also be carried out 14 days prior to embarkation for passengers according to their recent travel history, as well as temperature screenings for all people boarding.