Princess Cruises tightens restrictions as Delta variant spreads

Princess Cruises announced Thursday that the company will take action to curb the spread of the coronavirus on its ships as the delta variant continues to spread across the world.

On Thursday, the company announced that passengers would be required to wear masks and provide a negative COVID-19 test to board, according to USA Today.

“As Princess Cruises continues its successful restart of cruise operations, the line adapts to evolving science around global public health by advising reserved customers of temporary mask changes on board and pre-testing requirements. – cruise for cruises to the United States, “the cruise line said in a statement, according to the outlet.

Cruise ships can be a hotbed for the spread of disease due to limited space, proximity to parts, and large numbers of people on board. At the start of the pandemic, several ship passengers were forced to stay on board and self-quarantine during a coronavirus outbreak, fearing they would spread the disease to more people on land.

The company will also require that all of its passengers and crew be vaccinated against the coronavirus in addition to wearing masks in shared spaces, including elevators, shops, the casino and during boarding and disembarking, a rated USA Today.

“All guests will now be required to wear masks in certain interior areas on board. This new policy takes effect for all cruises departing Saturday August 7 through October 31, 2021,” the cruise line said.

Princess Cruises would also implement a requirement for all ships departing on August 15 or later that all passengers, even those who are fully vaccinated, provide negative PCR or antigen tests within three days of boarding.

According to USA Today, Holland America Line also announced new precautionary vaccination requirements on Thursday to protect passengers from contracting COVID-19.

The news comes amid the spread of the highly transmissible delta variant first identified in India. The variant is known to cause breakthrough cases in people who have been vaccinated, and the spread of this particular strain has prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue new guidelines for vaccinated people to wear masks indoors in areas. peak.