The maritime and tourism sectors have been hit hard by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Canada is now ready to welcome cruise ships safely back to our waters.
Today in Halifax, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced the public health framework the Government of Canada is putting in place to restart cruise ship activity in Canada.
As Canada welcomes the first cruise ships back to Canadian waters in April, Transport Canada, working alongside partners, has developed a comprehensive public health plan for cruise ships, including:
- Crew and passengers being required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19;
- Crew and passengers being required to self-monitor for symptoms;
- Passengers being required to take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72-hours before boarding a cruise ship OR take an antigen test within one day of boarding a cruise ship; and
- Passengers being required to take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72-hours before arriving in Canada or taking an antigen test within one day of the scheduled arrival.
In a statement, Canada’s port authorities said they look forward to the return of cruise vessels to Canada and praises Transport Canada and government/industry partners for working steadily and collaboratively on safe resumption frameworks.
“Safety has been our priority for cruise resumption and we look forward to continuing this momentum to help rebuild this important economic activity for ports and communities across the country,” said Daniel Robert-Gooch, president and CEO of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities. (Photo MPA)
