Norwegian Cruise Line has reintroduced mandatory Covid-19 testing for any guest who has visited mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau within 10 days before embarkation.
The decision comes after the UK government announced last month that arrivals into England from China would need to take a negative Covid test before flying, starting from today (January 5).
Between January 5 and January 31, NCL will require guests who have recently visited China, Hong Kong or Macau to submit proof of a negative medically-supervised Covid PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to the beginning of travel.
The line explained the testing requirement also applied to guests transiting through an airport in one of the three destinations within 10 days of embarkation.
The testing requirement had been reintroduced “as a result of growing concerns regarding Covid-19 in China”, it added.
Guests that hold a Chinese, Hong Kong or Macau passport will be subject to the same protocols unless they can “provide proof that they have not visited these regions within 10 days prior to embarkation”.
Passengers must also be fully vaccinated and boosted with a World Health Organization-approved jab prior to embarkation.
A Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings spokesperson said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these measures and thank our guests for their continued understanding as we work to protect the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and communities we visit worldwide.
“For additional information on our health and safety protocols, please visit www.ncl.com/sail-safe. As always, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as appropriate.”
Countries in the European Union are being “strongly” recommended to insist on negative Covid tests from Chinese arrivals before they travel.
France, Spain and Italy have already introduced testing but other nations, such as Germany, have been monitoring the situation.