We spoke with Alfredo Serrano, director of CLIA in Spain, the cruise line association.
CLIA is working on a comprehensive plan to ensure a safe cruise experience from start to finish, a strategy that covers everything from booking to returning home. Alfredo Serrano explains, “We still don’t know when cruises will resume, but we are working with everyone involved to plan a safe return. There need to be clear protocols, from medical recommendations and embarkation and disembarkation procedures to evacuation plans.”
Although health authorities have not established specific requirements, at least for the time being, shipping companies have a responsibility to develop robust plans and make them available to the relevant authorities.”.
This week, the Spanish Ministry of Transport announced the basic protocols for cruise ship operations in Spain following the state of emergency. The document outlines measures for terminals and port facilities, as well as onboard procedures. These measures have been welcomed as they represent a starting point for establishing a framework that will facilitate the return to operations; however, there is still work to be done.
CLIA has maintained contact with its executive partners, although it hasn't spoken much publicly about the COVID-19 protocols under development. Alfredo Serrano attributes this to the fact that methods for combating the virus are evolving rapidly.
“It is possible that very specific measures that make sense today may change before cruises can restart; we must proceed with caution, although, of course, the intention is to provide public information as soon as possible: ports, terminals, shipping agents and tour operators need this information and they need a coherent framework for cooperation.”
CLIA's approach to building the COVID-19 framework is to decide on the objectives and then how to achieve them. The association hopes that its core model can be used globally, albeit adapted to local conditions.
“Each company will likely develop its own model for its operations, but there is a planning group with about 20 executives from shipping companies associated with CLIA, who also have the advice of the medical and scientific community to understand the behavior of the virus, and analyze an avalanche of proposals for new technologies and health solutions.”
“The main objective is to prevent an infected person from boarding, and we need to determine the most appropriate measures to achieve that objective, but ultimately, on ships as on land, social distancing will be key.”
Buffets, as we know them today, may not be viable; restaurant seating will be more spaced out, meaning the same types of protocols followed in restaurants on land will be followed on board.
Regarding destinations and excursions, Alfredo Serrano comments that cruises are expected to resume gradually or in phases, as the virus is at different stages in different parts of the world, and depending on how prepared destinations are to welcome tourists safely. Cruise lines want to "ensure that shore excursions are conducted with maximum protection, including the places visited, vehicles, etc." Social distancing must continue on land. All procedures must be designed to protect both tourists and residents at the destinations.
The ships, although already highly equipped with medical facilities, will increase their capabilities and isolation areas will be set up.
It is also necessary to create an evacuation procedure if needed.
All the health measures mentioned will be given special consideration and even reinforced in the case of the crews, since they are more exposed, but they will also be key to the surveillance of the virus on board, which means training them thoroughly.
When it comes to COVID-19 safety, even the most routine operations, such as baggage handling or onboard shops, must be considered in the planning. Ultimately, it's a global solution to a global situation.
