The Cayman Islands' Government extended its ban for cruise ships until 2021. With major cruise shipping companies already suspending operations in the USA until November, there is another setback with one of the most popular Caribbean island cruise travel destinations.
The acting Port Authority Director Joseph Woods confirmed that the current ban on cruise ships is now extended through December 31, 2020, following the previous extension through October 1.
Woods issued a notice to cruise industry partners saying:
“I wish to inform you that after careful consideration, the Cayman Islands Government has taken the decision that in the current global environment with respect to the coronavirus pandemic, it cannot allow the resumption of cruise tourism in the Cayman Islands for the immediate future. The Cayman Islands will, therefore, be closed for cruise tourism until the 31st December 2020.”
Despite a recent decision to ban cruise ships through October 1, 2020, the government has been monitoring developments and the spread of COVID. The USA has seen a huge increase in cases which has pushed the Caribbean nation to extend the ban again.
The state of Florida, home to a number of major cruise homeports, is among the most severely impacted states.