The confirmation of Covid outbreaks on cruises in Brazil does not change, so far, the itineraries scheduled for the Brazilian coast this season, reported on Friday (31) Clia Brasil, local representative of the International Association of Cruise Lines.
Five ships from Costa and MSC companies programmed a total of 106 itineraries along the coast of the country between November and March. The season moves approximately R$ 1.7 billion in the national economy and generates 24 thousand jobs, according to the sector.
Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) reported having interrupted this Thursday (30) the activities of the vessel Costa Diadema, docked in Salvador. 68 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed, 56 among crew and 12 among passengers.
Given this scenario, the ship will return to the port of Santos (SP) under restricted conditions, which include the suspension of all non-essential activities on board.
At the port of Santos, the ship MSC Splendida docked this Wednesday (29) so that 132 people could disembark. In this group were 78 people with confirmed cases of the disease and 54 who had contact with positive cases.
Anvisa informed that an epidemiological investigation is underway, which will determine the continuity of the trip.
Amid a backdrop of global growth in cases due to the omicron variant, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday increased its warning level for cruise ships to 4, the most top of the scale.
“Avoid this type of trip, regardless of the vaccination situation,” the agency said in a statement.
The measure was announced after the number of cases on cruises grew in recent weeks, leading some ports to refuse vessels.
The cruises returned to sailing on November 1st in Brazil after an ordinance from the federal government. After this authorization, Anvisa approved a sanitary protocol for the resumption of activities.
According to the sector association, sea voyages follow the health safety standards established in conjunction with Anvisa. One of them is mandatory full vaccination for guests and crew (eligible under the National Immunization Plan).
The protocol also includes proof of testing before boarding, in addition to frequent testing of at least 10% of the people on board and crew.
The maximum occupancy is 75% of the vessel’s capacity and there is a mandatory distance of 1.5 meters between groups. The use of masks is also mandatory.
Care with air circulation, constant disinfection and cleaning of environments are part of the protocol.
Costa Crociere informed that the ship Costa Diadema is docked in the port of Salvador, where guests residing in the region and people who tested positive on board disembark.
Costa Diadema must head to Santos as soon as permission is granted. The company also stated that updates will be provided and that the safety and health of guests, crew and communities at the destination are priorities.
The report was unable to establish contact with the MSC company.
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