CLIA Brazil (Brazilian Association of Maritime Cruises) and its associates took the decision to extend for another 14 days the suspension of operations in Brazilian ports, now scheduled until February 18.
The decision aims to analyze the evolution of the epidemiological scenario and continue the necessary discussions with the national, state, and municipal authorities, for the restart of cruises.
According to the published on January 20 Interministerial Ordinance number 666, to cruise ships return it is necessary that all states and municipalities that receive the voyages are in accordance with the return of operations, in order to meet the requirements of the safety protocols established by Anvisa.
Cruise vacations are the only segment that requires, prior to boarding for passengers and crew members, extremely high levels of vaccination as well as 100% testing of each individual. The protocols in Brazil require that all passengers have the complete vaccination cycle, present negative tests prior to boarding, continuous testing onboard, use of masks, social distancing, lower occupation of ships.
When cases are identified as a result of the high frequency of onboard testing, cruise ship protocols help maximize containment with response procedures designed to protect all passengers and crew members, as well as the communities that vessels visit. In addition, voyages are the only sector continuously monitoring, collecting, and reporting case information directly to government agencies.
Given the supervision and the high rate of vaccination required onboard, the incidence of serious illnesses is lower than on land. Hospitalizations have been rare.
Of a total of ~130,000 passengers transported between November 5, 2021-January 3, 2022, ~1,100 cases were confirmed, representing less than 1% of the number of people served (including passengers and crew members).
The Brazil cruise season 2021-2022 commenced in November. There are currently 5 cruise ships waiting to restart sailings once again. The cruise season came to a halt in early January 2022 due to the rapid rise of COVID cases aboard the vessels caused by the Omicron variant. The 5 ships part of the Brazilian season, Costa Diadema, Costa Fascinosa, MSC Preziosa, MSC Seaside, and MSC Splendida, are currently anchored off the coast of Port Santos (Brazil).