The Brazilian Maritime Cruise Association announced on Monday the suspension of travel until January 21, due to “differences” on the application of COVID protocols, following recommendations from the health authority after the outbreak of outbreaks on three ships.
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In a statement, the association representing industry giants such as Costa and MSC Cruises announced “the temporary and voluntary suspension (…) of new departures”, adding that “no customer will be on board until January 21 “.
The “break”, she explained, is aimed at “resolving differences” with the authorities regarding “the interpretations and applications of the operational health and safety protocols which had been approved at the start of the current season, in November. “.
Cruise ships currently traveling will finish their journey, the association said.
Infections on three cruise ships sailing off the country’s coast on New Year’s Eve worried health regulator Anvisa, who recommended that cruises be suspended.
On December 30, health authorities suspended the operations of two ships, Costa Diadema and MSC Splendida, after reporting dozens of cases on board.
The Costa Diadema has been ordered to disembark 68 infected people and return to its home port of Santos, near Sao Paulo, for quarantine.
The Splendida, bound for Rio de Janeiro, was also ordered to return to Santos after reporting 78 cases.
A third ship, the MSC Preziosa, with a capacity of 4,000 passengers, had to disembark in Rio about 30 infected passengers who were isolated, as well as people in contact.
Brazil had authorized in November the resumption of cruise ship activity subject to strict protocols against the coronavirus which include regular tests and quarantines in case of infection.
More than 619,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Brazil, the second most bereaved country in the world after the United States.