NEW Zealand has extended its ban on cruise ships for at least two months, alongside a tightening of its border rules. After reporting more coronavirus cases linked to overseas travel, New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern announced the ban was being extended “for a further 60 or 90 days” beyond...
NEW Zealand has extended its ban on cruise ships for at least two months, alongside a tightening of its border rules.
After reporting more coronavirus cases linked to overseas travel, New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern announced the ban was being extended “for a further 60 or 90 days” beyond the previous end date of 30 Jun.
Any crew arriving in New Zealand must spend 14 days in quarantine unless they had been aboard their ship without disembarkation for 28 days before arriving.
People in quarantine may now need to do multiple tests, and must test negative for coronavirus before exiting quarantine.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz expressed his disappointment about the decision.
“CLIA is continuing to engage with the NZ Government and together with its cruise line members remains focused on developing a new global health framework to uphold the safety of guests and crew when the time is right to resume sailing,” he said.
“The industry is working with medical experts and health authorities internationally to lay a new foundation for the cruise sector, involving comprehensive measures in response to COVID-19.
“We will ultimately be guided by governments and health authorities on the future resumption of cruise operations, and are using this time to ensure we learn as much as possible from these unprecedented events and develop the best possible protocols in response.”
