Canada Announces Health & Safety Protocols for Cruise Ships
The Government of Canada released its new public health framework for the safe resumption of cruise ships in Canadian waters. This announcement comes just a little over a month ahead of the kickoff of the summer 2022 Alaska cruise season.
Canada instituted a ban on cruise ships in mid-March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This ban was officially removed on November 1, 2021, for cruise operators which complied with all public health requirements.
The announcement from Transport Canada reads the following, “The Government of Canada is committed to the restart of the cruise season in Canada with mitigation measures in place for COVID-19. Transport Canada—alongside the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency, other orders of government, the U.S. government, transportation industry stakeholders, Indigenous Peoples, and Arctic communities—are working together to ensure measures are in place and cruise ship travel is as COVID-19-safe as possible.”
“The ability to welcome cruise ships back to our waters is possible because Canadians have stepped up, rolled up their sleeves, gotten vaccinated, and followed public health measures. The industry has made the safe return of cruise ships to Canadian waters possible by committing to a comprehensive set of enhanced safety protocols on board, including vaccinations, enhanced hygiene practices, and passenger screening, as outlined below, based on the best available science,” the announcement continues.
The new guidelines from outline a range of obligations for cruise lines for plans to mitigate the spread of COVID on cruise ships, as well as requirements for passengers. These protocols cover pre-cruise, during the voyage, and post-cruise procedures.
Obligations of the Cruise Lines
Cruise line operators will be required to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Have a COVID-19 management plan which includes measures to prevent or limit the introduction and/or spread onboard cruise ships.
- A Ship-to-Shore checklist that includes the measures to prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19 during the onboarding/disembarking of passengers at a port.
- Testing and reporting requirements - Under the Quarantine, Isolation and Other Obligations Order, the Prohibition of Entry Order, and the Transport Canada Interim Order, cruise lines and passengers will need to adhere to strict requirements for testing at checkpoints and will be required to report back to the Government of Canada.
Protocols for Passengers & Onboard Procedures
Pre-Boarding Guidelines:
- Crew and passengers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Exemptions include: Children under 12; Proof of a Medical contraindication or Religious belief (only for those with a right of entry to Canada, including Canadians and those boarding in Canada). Cruise operators must very pre-embarkation test results and health status of all passengers.
- Passengers must take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72-hours before boarding a cruise ship or take an antigen test within one day of the scheduled departure. Before their cruise departs, guests will need to enter their trip information into the ArriveCAN website.
During a Voyage:
- Crew and passengers are required to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.
- The cruise line is responsible for testing (using an antigen test) of suspected cases; testing (using a molecular test) to confirm positive cases; isolating positive cases and testing close contacts of the positive case(s).
Disembarkation of a Cruise Ship in Canada:
- The cruise line must report symptomatic or positive passengers and/or crew to Transport Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the port, and the local/provincial public health unit.
- Provide testing facilities and tests for passengers to take either a COVID-19 molecular test within 72-hours before disembarking a cruise ship or an antigen test no more than one day before the scheduled arrival.
- All crew and passengers must monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after arrival in Canada.
I Have a Cruise Booked Which Cruise From or Makes a Stop in Canada. What Do I Need to Know?
These newly released protocols recognize that Canada is ready to welcome cruise ship passengers back into its waters. Cruise lines are working with the Government of Canada to ensure all needed passenger requirements will be met and adopted into their current health and safety protocols.
If you have an upcoming cruise that sails from or makes a stop in Canada we recommend keeping up closely with your cruise line and travel advisor to ensure you have followed all required steps needed for your voyage.
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