Carnival Cruise Lines began enforcing a mask mandate early on a cruise from Galveston after several passengers tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
Carnival announced on Wednesday that from August 7th, masking guidelines for all travel will be changed in the interests of public health, with all guests being asked to wear masks in certain interior areas of the ship. The company said it will also change its COVID-19 testing requirements for all trips starting August 14.
The company made the announcement the same day that passengers on a trip from Galveston were informed that there were people infected with the coronavirus on board.
An NBC 5 viewer checked up Wednesday night and said she was sailing the Carnival Vista from Galveston to Belize and that they were late due to medical issues related to people infected with COVID-19.
Carnival confirmed to NBC 5 Thursday morning that they implemented the new mask policy early on Vista due to a small number of positive COVID-19 cases on board.
“Our pre-established protocols for vaccinated guests and crew, testing, improved medical skills and contact tracing anticipated the potential for positive cases and are designed to adapt to different scenarios,” Carnival said in a statement to NBC 5.
The shipping company said it identified and tested close contacts of those who tested positive, and anyone who tested positive was moved to a remote area on the ship.
“The decision to implement the Mask Policy was made with great caution as we focus on the health and safety of our guests and our crew. The journey continues as planned and we aim to continue to offer our guests a fun and safe vacation,” said Carnival.
In a statement on its website, Carnival said that should a “threshold” of COVID-19 be detected on board, “the voyage will be terminated, the ship returned to the port of embarkation” and “the subsequent voyage or return home may be restricted or restricted delayed “for passengers.
Carnival did not specify the required threshold before a trip would be canceled.
Later that month, on Aug. 14, Carnival will require all fully vaccinated guests to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) performed within three days of their trip. Tests at the cruise terminal are not available and guests must provide a negative test result and proof of vaccination prior to boarding.
Guests who are not vaccinated must undergo PCR testing, pre-boarding testing, and testing within 24 hours of departure on cruises of five days or longer, Carnival says, and a fee of $ 150 for testing – and pay for health checks.
Unvaccinated guests must also provide proof of insurance for cruises from Florida and Texas.
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