Page 16 - AAA Now! – AAA Northway – Winter 2020

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HEALTHY SAIL PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS OVERVIEW
The cruise industry is among the hospitality sectors that have been especially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry has been nearly shuttered since mid-March. A four-month effort by a panel of experts in public health, infectious disease, biosecurity, epidemiology, hospitality and maritime operations have compiled recommendations intended to provide the necessary protocols to restart cruising. This report has been released to the public and submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for review. The recommendations are rooted in the best scientific and public health information available and offer guidance to the cruise industry seeking to protect the health and safety of their customers and employees. The five areas of focus are:
Health: Testing, Screening and Exposure Reduction
“Key to preventing an outbreak on board a ship will be developing and implementing several layers of protection — beginning before crew and guests
arrive to the ship, continuing through the time when they are on board and lasting until they eventually debark. The best way to prevent an outbreak on board is through robust testing prior to embarkation, supported by preboard education and health screening for guests and crew. If diligently followed, these steps will greatly reduce the likelihood of the introduction of the virus on cruise ships.”
Sanitation and Ventilation
“It is believed that the virus is transmitted mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. While the risk of spread can be mitigated through strategies such as physical distancing and mask wearing, focus on reducing transmission via sanitation of surfaces and objects and through air management strategies is warranted. Stringent sanitation protocols and hand hygiene measures for guests and crew can reduce the risk of transmission
via surfaces. Since other infectious illnesses like norovirus and influenza are also likely to be
transmitted via contaminated surfaces, enhanced sanitation protocols will help mitigate the risk of contracting various pathogens. Since airborne particles play a role in virus transmission, ensuring that a ship is equipped with appropriate heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and other air control measures will also help prevent an outbreak on board a ship.”
Response, Contingency Planning and Execution
“Essential to preparing to sail is an appropriate plan for responding in the event of an outbreak on board a ship. There are three key components to an effective mobilization plan in that event: (1) medical capabilities to effectively treat symptomatic patients, (2) a plan to enable cruise operators to quickly identify symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals and use isolation and quarantine to stop the spread of infection, and (3) a plan for evacuating individual guests and impacted crew, or, in the most extreme circumstances, a whole ship, if warranted.”
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