Travellers who are at increased risk of severe illness are being advised by the US health authority to avoid taking cruises, regardless of their vaccination status.
The updated recommendation came from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, just weeks after cruises were allowed to return from US ports in a phased return to service.
The CDC said: “The virus that causes Covid-19 spreads easily between people in close quarters aboard ships, and the chance of getting Covid-19 on cruise ships is high. Outbreaks of Covid-19 have been reported on cruise ships.”
People who are not fully vaccinated should avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide, the CDC added.
Those with an increases risk of severe illness should also not take cruises, regardless of vaccination status.
The CDC also said: “People who decide to go on a cruise should get tested 1–3 days before their trip and 3–5 days after their trip, regardless of vaccination status.
“Along with testing, passengers who are not fully vaccinated should self-quarantine for 7 days after cruise travel, even if they test negative. If they do not get tested, they should self-quarantine for 10 days after cruise travel,” according to the new edict.
The CDC also warned that it may adjust requirements and recommendations on its phased approached to returning US cruise ships back into operation “based on public health considerations and other factors”.
Cruises are ranked level three or ‘high’ in the CDC’s list of Covid risk levels.