CruiseHive.com is reporting, “While most of the talk lately has been on the Conditional Sail Order from the CDC and what that means for the cruise industry, there has always been a second way the cruise industry can go back to sea. However, that second option seems to be up in the air as well now.
The Conditional Sail Order is only in effect as long as the United States is under a public health emergency. This order has been extended on April 21, 2020, July 23, 2020, October 2, 2020, and January 7, 2021.
Xavier Becerra, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, extended the order again, dashing hopes that the administration would take a step that the CDC has been unwilling to take.
The public health emergency, which has been extended for an additional 90 days, now runs until mid-July. This sets the scene for further cancellations from the cruise lines down the line, while it also creates the framework for the CDC to hold fast to the Conditional Sail Order.
The U.S. Remains Under Public Health Emergency
While it may have been unrealistic to think that the Department of Health and Human Services would have overruled the CDC, there have been greater surprises this pandemic. The way out for the cruise industry remains unchanged then as Xavier Becerra released the following statement:
“As a result of the continued consequences of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, on this date and after consultation with public health officials as necessary, I, Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services, pursuant to the authority vested in me under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, do hereby renew, effective April 21, 2021, the January 31, 2020, determination by former Secretary Alex M. Azar II, that he previously renewed on April 21, 2020, July 23, 2020, October 2, 2020, and January 7, 2021, that a public health emergency exists and has existed since January 27, 2020, nationwide.”
Once again, the CDC is showing the world that they don’t believe cruises sailing from U.S ports can resume safely. They aren’t taking into account that thousands of cruisers overseas have cruised safely during the COVID pandemic.
As I’ve mentioned many times, the Palladium Hotel Group and other all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are open, welcoming guests, and providing free antigen COVID tests!
Stay tuned for continuing updates.
Full CruiseHive.com story here: https://www.cruisehive.com/another-setback-for-resuming-cruises-in-the-u-s/49874
