US CDC eases warnings for cruises as new Covid infections fall

US CDC eases warnings for cruises as new Covid infections fall

It also urges those who are not up to date on their vaccinations to avoid trips.

WASHINGTON:
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday eased its warnings for cruise ships by a notch from the highest level, seven weeks after the health agency advised Americans against going on cruises.

The CDC made the decision in response to a decline in Covid-19 cases on ships but still recommended that people who were not up to date with vaccines avoid cruises.

Covid-19 infections are decreasing in the US, with 168,485 new infections reported on average each day, or about 21% of the peak, with the highest daily average reported on Jan 14.

Trade association Cruise Lines International Association said the CDC’s latest decision was “a step in the right direction”.

Royal Caribbean Group, which also owns Celebrity Cruises, earlier this month said it had carried nearly 1.3 million guests since mid-2021, with around 2,500 guests testing positive for Covid-19.

“We believe we are past Covid-19 in terms of the overall impact on our business,” Royal Caribbean Group Chief Executive Officer Jason Liberty said at the beginning of February.

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