Brazilian cruise ships pause operations after COVID-19 outbreaks
BRASILIA — Cruise ship companies in Brazil will suspend most operations until Jan. 21, an industry association said on Monday, after health authorities recommended against cruise ship travel following several offshore outbreaks of the coronavirus.
The industry association Clia said no ships will cast off during the “voluntary” suspension period, which could be extended, while those at sea will complete their voyages.
Last week, Brazil’s national health regulator Anvisa recommended cruise companies temporarily pause operations after five ships off Brazil’s coast registered over 300 new COVID-19 cases.
“During this pause, Clia is working on behalf of the cruise companies that operate in the country – MSC Cruzeiros and Costa Cruzeiros – to look for points of alignment with the federal government, Anvisa, states and municipalities,” the association said in a statement.
MSC Cruzeiros and Costa Cruzeiros are subsidiaries of Swiss-Italian cruise line MSC Cruises and Carnival Corp, respectively. Clia made its announcement after federal, state and municipal officials met with representatives of the tourism industry about the issue.
For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.