The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has significantly eased cruise ship guidelines for passengers and crew vaccinated against COVID-19, paving the way for a rapid US restart.
No masks. Buffets can be returned
A new update posted Wednesday, 5/26/21, states that cruise lines may designate areas that are only accessible to fully vaccinated passengers and crew where masks and physical distancing are not required.
The CDC also updated language, noting that for fully vaccinated passengers, a number of points are now merely recommendations, including social distancing in restaurants and bars, limited capacity and even self-service food and beverage service, leading to the return of traditional cruise ship buffets.
Additionally, for ships with at least 95% of the crew and 95% of passengers fully vaccinated, cruise ship operators may have the discretion to advise passengers and crew that they do not need to wear a mask or maintain physical distancing in any areas.
Latest key updates from CDC:
• Cruise ship operators may, at their discretion, advise passengers and crew that – if they are fully vaccinated – they can gather or conduct outdoor activities, including participating in extended dining or drinking, without wearing a mask.
• Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise fully vaccinated crew that they do not need to wear a mask or maintain physical distancing in areas of the ship that are not accessible to passengers.
• Cruise ship operators may, at their discretion, designate areas accessible only to fully vaccinated passengers and crew where masks and physical distancing are not required (e.g., casinos, bars, spas, entertainment venues and dining areas, including self-service buffets). • On ships where at least 95% of crew and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated, cruise ship operators may exercise their discretion to advise passengers and crew that they do not need to wear a mask or maintain physical distancing in any area.
Now just recommendations:
• Change the restaurant and bar layout to ensure all customers remain at least 6 feet (2 meters) apart (for example, remove tables, stools and chairs or mark those that are not intended for use).
• Limit seating to ensure physical distancing of at least 6 feet (2 meters).
• Avoid crowded waiting areas by using a phone app, text technology or signs to alert patrons when their table is ready. Avoid using “buzzers” or other common objects.
• Eliminate self-service and beverage options such as self-service buffets, salad bars, and drink stations.
• Provide cutlery in such a way that it cannot be handled by more than one person.
• Install physical barriers, such as sneeze guards and partitions, in areas where it is difficult for people to maintain adequate physical distance of at least 6 feet (2 meters), such as service stations and food service areas.
• Provide physical signage, such as tape on decks and signs, to remind people to maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet (2 meters) where food and drinks are served.
• Provide and encourage outdoor dining and bar/beverage service options.
• Provide and encourage room service for passengers.
• Limit, to the extent practicable, the sharing of food, tools, equipment, or supplies by food handlers.
• Provide sufficient supplies to minimize sharing of non-touchable materials (e.g., serving spoons) to the extent practicable; otherwise, limit the use of supplies and equipment to one group of food handlers at a time, and clean and sanitize between uses.
• Avoid using or sharing items that can be reused, such as menus, condiments, and any other food containers. Instead, use disposable menus, digital menus that can be sanitized between each use, online menus that can be found on patrons’ personal cell phones, single-serve condiments, and no-touch trash cans and doors.
