CDC Recommends Against Cruise Travel as COVID-19 Cases Increase

The Epoch Times Header

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Thursday that people should avoid cruise travel regardless of their vaccination status after an increase in COVID-19 cases on cruise lines in recent days.

The CDC on Thursday increased its COVID-19 risk level for cruise ships to four, which is the agencyโ€™s highest warning level.

โ€œEven fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants,โ€ the federal agency said in a statement. Passengers should get tested three to five days after their cruise ends, the CDC said, adding that they need to self-monitor for COVID-19-related symptoms for 14 days.

According to the latest guidance, the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19, โ€œspreads easily between people in close quarters on board ships, and the chance of getting COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high, even if you are fully vaccinated and have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose.โ€

The guidance also stipulated that individuals on cruise ships should wear a mask โ€œin shared spaces.โ€

Most of the major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival require customers and staff to be fully vaccinated. They have to present proof of vaccination status before boarding.

โ€œSince the identification of the Omicron variant, there has been an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases among cruise passengers and crew reported to CDC. Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of cruise ships meeting the COVID-19 case threshold for CDC investigation,โ€ the CDC said.

As of Wednesday,ย about 88 shipsย are under the CDCโ€™sย โ€œyellowโ€ status,ย meaning the agency is investigating. Another four are being monitored.

โ€œYellow status means the ship has met the threshold for CDC investigation, which includes one of the following criteriaโ€ such as โ€œat or above the investigation threshold for crew COVID-19 cases,โ€ at or above the investigation threshold for passenger COVID-19 cases,โ€ or a โ€œstate or local health department notified CDC of passenger COVID-19 cases occurring within five days of disembarkation,โ€ the agency said.

Over the past weekend, Carnival Cruise Linesโ€™ Carnival Freedom told outlets it has been forced to alter its stops in the south Caribbean after several individuals onboard tested positive for the CCP virus.

โ€œThis is a vaccinated cruise, and all guests were also tested before embarkation,โ€ Carnival Cruise Lines said on Dec. 24. โ€œUnfortunately, Bonaire and Aruba authorities did not permit the ship to call in those ports, but we have confirmed a visit to Amber Cove, [Dominican Republic] today.โ€

Byย Jack Phillips

Read Original Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Trans-wormal

No worm ever said "I am anthropomorphizing, I am a butterfly" to a toad or flock of geese and expected acknowledgement and support.

In Greenlandโ€™s Icy Capital, Past Troubles Haunt Hopes for the Future

As geopolitical realities and ongoing economic growth raise the stakes, U.S. interest in Greenland and the dream of independence may change things in a big way.

How a Chinese Government Statistician Was Forced to Report Fake Data

Chinese local govt employee produced a non-authorized report on bees and was visited by police and threatened with being sent to a mental hospital.

โ€˜This One Time, at Groomer Campโ€™

All Camp Brave Trails programs focus on helping LGBTQ+ youth find what they need most to thrive: their people, their place, and their passion.

Why Recognizing a Palestinian State Now Undermines U.S. Interestsย 

A recent American Conservativeย article suggests President Trump recognize a Palestinian state, but this would undermine the interests of the United States.

News

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Dismantling of Education Department

Trump admin asked Supreme Court to allow it to resume dismantling U.S. Dept of Education, following a lower courtโ€™s previous order halting process.

FTC Warns of Rising Student Loan Scams, Says Fraudsters Took Millions From Borrowers

FTC is warning borrowers to steer clear of student loan debt-relief scams, after shutting down group of companies that allegedly charged millions in illegal fees and left customers worse off.

Court Orders Trump Administration to Restore AmeriCorps Funding to States

Federal court ordered Trump admin to restore AmeriCorps funding to states. The ruling comes as part of a lawsuit filed by 24 states and DC.

Tax Deductions You Can Take Without Itemizing

Itโ€™s not always beneficial to itemize. With IRSโ€™s current standard deduction for 2025 most Americans who canโ€™t itemize go with standard deduction.

US Economy Adds 139,000 New Jobs in May, Topping Market Forecasts

U.S. economy added 139,000 new jobs last month, surpassing economistsโ€™ expectations and indicating U.S. labor market remains in a robust position.

Guatemalan Deportee Arrives in US After Judge Orders Trump Admin to Facilitate Return

โ€œAmericaโ€™s asylum system was never intended to be used as a de facto amnesty program or a catch-all, get-out-of-deportation-free card,โ€ McLaughlin said.

Trump-Musk Feud Escalates Over Spending Bill: 5 Things to Know

A public feud between Musk and Trump took a turn for the worse. Musk claimed president wouldnโ€™t have won without him and president suggested Muskโ€™s subsidies could be pulled.

Supreme Court Rules 9-0 Wisconsin Violated First Amendment by Denying Tax Exemption to Catholic Charity

Supreme Court ruled unanimously that WI violated the First Amendment by not granting Catholic charity an exemption from paying unemployment tax.
spot_img

Related Articles