Battered cruise sector rejoices at confirmation of return date.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed that the Australian cruise sector can reboot from 17 April after more than two years of shutdown.
“On the basis of medical advice and with the agreement of National Cabinet, lifting the cruise ban is consistent with the reopening of Australia’s international border and shows that we have successfully navigated Australia’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hunt said earlier today.
To ensure the safe return of cruising, additional measures will need to be met, including enhanced pre-arrival reporting and identification of COVID-19 risk through more passenger questioning, stress testing of the emergency response system in relation to cruises, engaging more with the cruise industry, and mandating that all passengers be double vaccinated.
More details in today’s issue of Travel Daily and tomorrow’s Cruise Weekly.