CRUISE Lines International Association (CLIA) has today unveiled a four-phase pathway for the resumption of cruising in Australia (pictured), aligning the stages presented by PM Scott Morrison and based on vaccination targets with key milestones as borders reopen. The pathway will help provide certainty for the more than 18,000 Australians...
CRUISE Lines International Association (CLIA) has today unveiled a four-phase pathway for the resumption of cruising in Australia (pictured), aligning the stages presented by PM Scott Morrison and based on vaccination targets with key milestones as borders reopen.
The pathway will help provide certainty for the more than 18,000 Australians whose jobs are reliant on cruising, according to CLIA Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz.
“This is about having plans agreed in advance, so that we’re ready as conditions improve with the rising vaccination rate,” he said.
“Our governments have created a four-phase plan to reopen Australia, and we’re now calling for our own four-phase pathway to be included in this process.”
The current phase envisions agreement between industry and governments on a framework for resumption, instead of the current blanket ban on international ships, which at this stage is in place until 17 Sep.
This could even include the potential in the near term to pilot more small domestic expedition cruises as health conditions allow.
Once 70% of the country’s adult population is vaccinated, the “Vaccination Transition Phase” would commence, with the resumption of limited domestic-only cruises within an Australian bubble, in line with the industry’s extensive health protocols.
The 80% vaccination stage or “Consolidation Phase”, associated with significant easing of restrictions in the National Cabinet-approved plan would see more extensive domestic sailings, and the commencement of carefully controlled trans-Tasman itineraries and regional “bubble” sailings when conditions permit.
The final “Post-Vaccination Phase” would allow for the resumption of carefully controlled international itineraries from Australian ports.
Katz noted CLIA’s plan would allow the implementation of the extensive health protocols developed by cruise lines globally in response to COVID-19, which have so far seen almost one million people successfully undertake sailings including in the United States, Europe and parts of Asia.
“Cruising involves long lead-times ahead of operations, so we need a plan in place now so we can work towards reviving an industry worth more than $5 billion a year to communities around Australia,” he said.
At Australia’s current vaccination rate, it’s possible the 80% threshold dictated by the Prime Minister’s plan for Phase C’s easing of restrictions could be reached by the end of Nov.
With just three weeks until 17 Sep, Minister for Health Greg Hunt is expected to give an update on the status of the current human biosecurity order on international travel and cruising in the near future.
An infographic (pictured) showcasing the four phases is available for download HERE.
