In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the major disruption that has brought within cruising, Viking Line completed installation of the first full-scale PCR laboratory at sea.
Specifically, the PCR laboratory is the world’s first onboard facility, which enables Viking to conduct PCR testing of all crew members and guests with a non-invasive saliva test.
What is more, the laboratory has enough capacity for daily testing of every crew member and guest, which provides flexibility to respond to COVID-19 prevalence levels around the world.
The recently announced CDC guidelines are clearly aligned with our public health research, and we welcome the agency’s push toward testing, as we believe this is the only way to safely operate. In our view, continuous PCR testing, along with our extensive onboard hygiene protocols, will lead to making Viking ships a safe place to get away to and explore the world.
…said Matt Grimes, Vice President of Maritime Operations for Viking.
According to the cruise major, this first laboratory has been installed onboard Viking Star and it will undergo a series of extensive tests so as to ensure the procedures and protocols that have been designed are fully effective.
Concluding, Viking is expected to demonstrate the PCR laboratory, as well as new design and operating procedures, when the Viking Star comes to Oslo, Norway in mid-November.