Genoa, August 4, 2020. While awaiting final permits to resume operations, Costa Cruises has announced the implementation of the “Costa Safety Protocol,” a new health and safety protocol specifically designed to ensure the best vacation experience with maximum safety guarantees. Thanks to the collaboration of a panel of independent public health scientists coordinated by VIHTALI (Value in Health Technology and Academy for Leadership and Innovation), an organization affiliated with the Catholic University of Rome, Costa Cruises has worked in accordance with global and national health recommendations to develop the “Costa Safety Protocol.” This document includes a comprehensive set of measures and procedures covering everything from the safety of crew members returning to work, to the booking process, embarkation and disembarkation procedures, and daily life and medical care on board and during shore excursions.
As part of this initiative, Costa Cruises has also applied for the Biosafety Trust , a project that analyzes all aspects of life on board – from hotel and catering services to fitness and relaxation areas – and certifies the proper management of health incidents through a series of audits carried out both on board and on land.
First, regarding the crew, Costa will implement measures to screen each member beforehand in their country of origin, including two different nasopharyngeal swabs to identify suspected cases of COVID-19. Once they arrive in Italy, they will be tested a third time , and those who test negative will be allowed to board, provided they complete a 14-day quarantine. All crew members will be required to have their temperature taken daily, and the company will conduct monthly nasopharyngeal swab tests for all crew members.
On the other hand, regarding future guests, the measures include an improvement in digital procedures, such as check-in and personal justification, which can be carried out from home, and greater functionality of digital technologies, such as, for example, the possibility of booking services using the MyCosta app.
In addition, guests' temperatures will be taken each time they board or disembark the ship at all ports included in the itinerary. Once on board, guests will have access to self-service electronic devices at any time.
Physical distancing will be respected in all cruise terminals, as well as on shore excursions, which have been redesigned to accommodate smaller groups, stagger departures, and feature buses that will be disinfected before and after each use.
The company has announced changes to onboard life, including a reduction in the number of guests to ensure adequate social distancing and avoid overcrowding. Masks will be mandatory in enclosed spaces, and outdoors whenever social distancing is not possible, in accordance with current regulations on land.
Both the interiors and exterior decks of each cruise ship will be cleaned and disinfected more frequently with specialized products. In addition, extra hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed in the check-in area and onboard, where the ventilation systems have been equipped with new filters that ensure high-efficiency filtration of outside air, minimizing recirculation from the interior.
Entertainment programs and catering will also be reorganized in accordance with the new safety regulations. The entertainment offerings have been modified to allow for more shows during the day for smaller groups. As for dining, self-service restaurants will not be available, and all meals will be served by Costa staff.
Regarding onboard medical care, it will be available 24 hours a day for all guests and crew. The ships will be equipped with European Union-authorized PCR testing equipment and diagnostic devices for the immediate assessment of suspected COVID-19 cases. Furthermore, the onboard medical team has received specific training on testing procedures and relevant treatment methods. In conjunction with the relevant authorities, comprehensive processes have been developed to facilitate medical care, disembarkation, and a safe return home as quickly as possible for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Additionally, healthcare related to flu-like symptoms or respiratory illnesses will be provided free of charge to all guests, and specific insurance coverage will be offered.
Specific training modules will be created on compliance with the new health protocols and the application of the corresponding management system on board the ships, which will make the procedures already in force on board Costa ships more stringent.
The scientific council responsible for advising on the creation of the “Coastal Safety Protocols” was formed by:
- Giancarlo Icardi, Full Professor of Hygiene at the Department of Health Sciences of the University of Genoa, Director of the Interuniversity Center for Influenza Research and Director of Hygiene at the San Martino Hospital in Genoa.
- Roberto Ieraci, reference scientist for ASL Roma1 vaccines and former director of the UOC vaccine center (Centro di Vaccinazioni Internazionali) for international vaccines ASL Roma 1.
- Patrizia Laurenti, Adjunct Professor of Hygiene at the Univesità Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (USCS), Director of the Operational Unit of the Hospital Hygiene Complex, member of the Department of Women's, Children's and Public Health Sciences at the "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation IRCCS and member of the Technical-Scientific Committee on Hospital Infections of the FPG-IRCCS.
- Umberto Moscato, Associate Professor of Occupational Medicine and Hygiene at UCSC, medical director of the Hospital Hygiene Service, member of the Department of Women's, Children's and Public Health Sciences at the "A. Gemelli" University Hospital Foundation-IRCCS and member of the Technical-Scientific Committee on Hospital Infections of the FPG-IRCCS.
- Stefano Vella, former director of the ISS Center for Global Health; Adjunct Professor of Global Health at UCSC Rome and senior consultant for VIHTALI.
The company will provide all necessary information about the improved protocols and procedures through its website and communication channels.
