US cruise ships could sail again by July: CDC

Cruiseshipsmay be able to resume sailing from ports in Florida in mid-Julyafter being shut down for over a year by the coronavirus pandemic, according to new guidelines from US health authorities.

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) informedcruisecompanies on Wednesday of the requirements they would need to meet to begin sailingagain.

At least 98 percent of the crew and 95 percent of passengers will need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to the letter obtained by AFP on Thursday.

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"Shipsmay now bypass simulated voyages and move directly to open water sailing with passengers if a ship attests that 98 percent of its crew and 95 percent of its passengers are fully vaccinated," the CDC said.

Cruiselines were asked to submit their plans "as soon as possible to maintain the timeline of passenger voyages by mid-July."

The multi-billion dollarcruiseindustry employs thousands of people in Florida and is critical to a state that relies largely on tourism.

The three largestcruiselines in the world -- Norwegian, Carnival and Royal Caribbean -- run operations out of south Florida.

Norwegian announced on April 5 that it would require proof of vaccination for passengers and crew in the hope that the CDC would lift the sailing ban inJuly.

A Norwegian spokesman said the company "is encouraged by the ongoing constructive dialogue (with the CDC) that resulted in recent meaningful modifications to previously issued technical guidelines and the incorporation of vaccines."

Jonathan Fishman, a Royal Caribbean spokesman, said the company was encouraged "that we now see a pathway to a healthy and achievable return to service."

A Carnival spokesperson said the company is still reviewing the new CDC guidelines.

Cruiseoperations were suspended on March 14, 2020 when the CDC issued a "nosailorder" to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus.

Severalshipshad already had deadly outbreaks on board.

Somecruiseshipsresumed operations in Europe and elsewhere last year but the ban remained in place in the United States.

The CDC issued a roadmap in October forcruiseshipsto resume operations and updated it in April.

Didier Arino, head of the Protourisme consulting firm in Paris, told AFP this month that the pandemic has caused $48.3 billion in losses to thecruiseindustry and he doesn't expect it to resume normal activity until 2025.