The EU has started to get the cruise line ball rolling with some initial recommendations. It appears that the CLIA (Cruise Line Industry Association) has also supported these recommendations (the document is 49 pages in length). These are just recommendations at this time and are not binding.
https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/eu-releases-guidance-for-resumption-of-cruising
European Union's Healthy Gateways working group released interim advice for the resumption of cruise ship operations. The group's recommendations are comprehensive, covering everything from voyage planning and infection prevention through public health response measures. They include:
- A gradual overall approach to restarting operations, with shorter voyages of 3-7 days and a limited number of port calls;
- A written outbreak management and contingency plan;
- Prior arrangements with ports of call for medical treatment, ambulance transport, quarantine, air evacuation and other services that might be required in the event of an onboard outbreak;
- Ensuring availability of access to repatriation flights in the event of a partial or complete ship evacuation. This would include at least one port on the itinerary with international flight service allowing passengers and crew to go home - a significant challenge in recent months;
- Pre-approved onshore quarantine arrangements for known close contacts of COVID-positive individuals;
- Shoreside isolation arrangements and facilities for people who test positive but do not have symptoms;
- Adequate testing capacity, either on board or by arrangement with a shoreside lab;
- Pre-departure lab testing for all crewmembers, followed by routine health monitoring and periodic surveillance testing;
- Regular tabletop exercises with cruise ship crews for contingency drills;
- Formal assurances and procedures for informing the next port of call about an onboard outbreak;
- Reducing capacity to allow for social distancing, including an allowance in berthing capacity to isolate individuals in single cabins;
- Reduced face-to-face contact between passengers and staff, including altered arrangements for booking and reception;
- Universal use of face masks in indoor areas by both passengers and crew;
- Continuous ventilation of all occupied spaces;
- Physical distancing of 1.5 meters in most indoor spaces and entertainment venues;
- and limits on the usage of pools and hot tubs, including the closure of indoor pools.
