Coronavirus – Information for New Zealand Cruise Communities
At this very difficult time for the tourism industry we must work together, and Cruise Lines International Association has again set out some very good background information for New Zealand communities that cruise ships visit.
Cruise ships visiting New Zealand
For communities welcoming cruise ships around New Zealand, important measures are in place in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in China:
- No cruise ships have travelled directly from China to New Zealand. Many of the vessels operating in this region have been in Australasian waters for some time.
- CLIA ocean cruise lines have introduced stringent measures including pre-screening processes to determine a person’s travel and contact history. They will deny boarding to anyone who may present an increased risk.
- No passengers or crew are permitted to board if they have come from or visited China (including Hong Kong and Macau) in the 14 days before embarkation. These restrictions are in addition to those introduced by the New Zealand Government and other nations including Australia.
- Ships have medical facilities and medical professionals available around the clock to provide medical care in the event of illness and to prevent disease transmission.
- Cruise lines are in close consultation with health authorities around the world, including the World Health Organization, New Zealand’s Ministry of Health, and regional health authorities.
- Reporting procedures are in place to ensure New Zealand authorities are aware of any relevant illness prior to a ship’s arrival.
- While the quarantine operation in Japan is a difficult situation, it is being managed carefully by Japanese health authorities.
- The majority of more than 270 cruise ships globally continue to sail unaffected, including within New Zealand – but with strict precautions in place.
