INTERNATIONAL. Stringent preventative measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus 2019-nCoV have come into effect today (7 February) on cruise ships worldwide.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) – whose lines account for more than 90% of ocean-going cruise capacity globally – said that from today its members “are to deny boarding to all persons who have travelled from, visited or transited via airports in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within 14 days before embarkation”.

CLIA’s member lines will also deny boarding to anyone who, 14 days before embarkation, had close contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected of having, or diagnosed as having, coronavirus. This includes people who are currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to 2019-nCoV.

Cruise lines will conduct pre-boarding passenger screenings with “enhanced screening and initial medical support to be provided, as needed, to any persons exhibiting symptoms of suspected novel coronavirus,” noted CLIA. The association did offer an estimate of how many people might be affected by the new policy.

In a statement CLIA said: “In coordination with cruise lines, medical experts and regulators around the world, CLIA and its member lines will continue to closely monitor for new developments related to the coronavirus and will modify these policies as necessary with the utmost consideration for the health and safety of passengers and crew.”

Today’s measures follow those implemented on 31 January which suspended crew movements from mainland China and denied boarding to any individual who had travelled from, or through, mainland China within the previous 14 days.

Since then, 61 passengers have tested positive on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, with the ship and the remaining 3,700 people onboard now undergoing a 14-day quarantine in Yokohama. Separately, Japanese authorities are refusing to let the Holland America Line ship, Westerdam, call in Japanese ports.

According to CLIA’s 2019 Asia Deployment and Capacity Report, there were 1,917 sailings in Asia last year from 39 cruise brands, carrying just over four million passengers (see below).

As reported, MSC Cruises Head of Retail Adrian Pittaway outlined the deep impact that the coronavirus outbreak is having on the Chinese cruise retail sector.

Noting the effects to date on downtown duty free, travel and tourism in Asia, he said on Monday (3 February): “We must pay attention to the significant effect this will have for us in the cruise retail sector. As of last week, the entire outbound Chinese mainland cruise market has been suspended and there are currently no cruises operating from China.”

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