Preventing or limiting the spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships
LOCATION: NATIONAL
Issue/Source: Cruise ship restart in canada
Date: march 14, 2022
Suggested ResponseS
- Transport Canada’s Interim Order banning cruise ships in Canadian waters was lifted on November 1, 2021.
- On March 7, 2022, Transport Canada announced the public health framework the Government of Canada is putting in place to restart cruise ship activity in Canada.
- This comprehensive public health plan has been developed in consultation with Provinces, Territories, Indigenous and Inuit communities, Industry, and the United States.
- The Government of Canada will continue to evaluate measures and will not hesitate to make adjustments to keep Canadians and the transportation system safe and secure.
IF PRESSED
- The Government of Canada remains deeply engaged with the U.S. Government on an overall approach to borders, travel and vaccination, and its approach to cruise ships will align, where feasible, with the American approach.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- The Interim Order Respecting Vessel Restrictions and Vaccination Requirements Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is set to expire at the end of November 2022. This order puts in place a marine vaccination mandate for employees, crew and passengers, and establishes additional mandatory health measures for cruise ship operations.
- This Interim Order is designed to allow the details of cruise health framework requirements to be adjusted in accordance with changing pandemic circumstances. Amendments to this interim order are planned for March 31, 2022 to include the public health framework requirements announced on March 7, 2022.
- As a condition of sailing, cruise lines will be required to adhere to the public health framework which includes with three major components:
- COVID-19 management plans (measures to prevent or limit the spread onboard cruise ships);
- Ship-to-Shore checklist (information by operators, ports and public health representatives, and includes measures to prevent or limit the spread of COVID-19 during the boarding and disembarking of passengers at a port); and
- Testing and reporting requirements.
- Requirements will include that:
- Crew and passengers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19;
- Crew and passengers be required to self-monitor for symptoms;
- Passengers take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72-hours before boarding a cruise ship OR take an antigen test within one day of the scheduled departure boarding a cruise ship; and
- Passengers take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72-hours before arriving in Canada or taking an antigen test within one day of the scheduled arrival.
- Transport Canada continues to engage with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Canada Border Services Agency in consultation with Provinces, Territories, Indigenous and Inuit communities, Industry, and the U.S.