Since the no-sail order we've been wondering how our life will be once we go back on board, let's take a look at the proposed conditions regarding shore leave, cabin sharing and more.
Latest October Update!
See the infographics here: Going Back on Board - Life Onboard
Something More!
On a recent E-Mail it has been pointed out that after October 15, quarantine periods spent on board before re-starting work will be paid at 50% of our salary.
The Healthy Sail Panel was formed between Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Groups with the objective to learn from previous outbreaks and other protocols currently being implemented on land to come up with a list of recommendations on how the operations would be held for the return to service, centered mainly in pre-boarding control, onboard monitoring and readiness for possible future outbreaks.
Quoting the Document
"The following document represents the findings of a four-month effort by a panel of experts in public health, infectious disease, biosecurity, epidemiology, hospitality, and maritime operations. Our recommendations are rooted in the best scientific and public health information available, and offer guidance that we believe will be valuable to the cruise industry, and perhaps to other industries seeking to better protect the health and safety of their customers and employees. We look forward to sharing these recommendations with the overall cruise industry as well as with the public. "
Measures Affecting Crew
"The majority of recommendations from the Panel apply to both guests and crew. Nonetheless, the Panel believes a special focus on crew in our recommendations is warranted given that crew are on board ships for significantly longer than guests and have different living conditions and potential exposures based on their roles. Learning opportunities have arisen from examining the role crew have played in cruise-related SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks and the experience of crew who remained on board ships during portions of the timeframe of the No Sail Order. A robust testing regimen for crew, precautions on board like physical distancing and PPE use, thorough training, attention to the living conditions for crew, and reinforcing a culture of self-reporting any health or safety concerns can create the conditions for a safer working and living environment for these valuable members of the cruise operator’s team."
Main Points Summary
Pre-Boarding testing
Quarantine upon arrival
Periodic testing onboard
Surveillance / Contact Tracing
Use of face masks
Fewer guests & crew onboard
Additional Training
Social Distancing in Crew Areas
Shore Leave with Limitations
Single Occupancy Cabins when possible
Join shore excursions as "observers"
Medical costs covered for Covid-19
Point Where Crew is Mentioned
Cruise operators should:
Test all crew for SARS-CoV-2 between 5 days and 24 hours prior to leaving their home location to join the ship and receive a negative result, quarantine for seven days on board the ship upon arrival, and take a test at the end of that seven-day period and receive a negative result, before beginning their duties. Additionally, if feasible based on cost and available technology, cruise operators should consider administering an additional test and requiring a negative result shortly prior to boarding.
Implement a crew surveillance program, including periodic testing for SARS-CoV-2, to provide a reasonable level of assurance that the virus is not circulating among crew.
Cruise operators should conduct once-daily temperature checks for guests and crew on board.
To prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, cruise operators should require guests and crew to wear cloth face coverings/face masks in accordance with CDC recommendations.
Crew members with prolonged contact (i.e., contact that may result in exposure by CDC’s definition) with guests on board the ship should be required to utilize complementary PPE, in addition to wearing a face mask/face covering.
When returning to sailing, cruise operators should adjust guest and crew load factors in a manner that allows for appropriate physical distancing on board in accordance with applicable guidance, taking into consideration the size and design of each ship.
Ensure that crew members are thoroughly trained on all aspects of infection control with emphasis on proper hand hygiene techniques.
Manage the population density of crew areas of the ship.
" ... such as cabins, dining rooms, gyms, pools, and social areas. Crew on ships work hard and need to have time and space to relax and enjoy their off hours, so cruise operators will need to employ creative solutions to ensure that crew can still have enjoyable periods of down time without creating risky exposures. "
Provide opportunities for crew to debark from the ship at destinations while maintaining reasonable limitations on their movement to reduce risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
"One of the major appeals of working on a cruise ship for many crew members is the opportunity to visit new places around the globe. This desire must be balanced against the imperative to reduce exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the places the cruise ships visit, as further discussed in the destinations section of these recommendations. If local transmission rates are within acceptable limits, cruise operators may be able to balance these needs by, for example, providing transportation for crew to certain destinations (e.g., a private beach or designated shopping area with appropriate controls in place) so that crew can take part in activities they enjoy during shore leave time, while limiting riskier exposures. In addition, cruise operators should consider reasons that crew debark from the ship (e.g., to access the internet, make phone calls, shop for toiletries and supplies) and determine if there are ways to bring some of these services and amenities on board the ship or to provide them in safer ways off the ship.
To ensure that third-party vendors at destinations of interest are adhering to cruise operator’s additional protocols, the Panel supports the notion of having designated crew members act as “observers” and attend tours, excursions, etc."
Crew should be placed in single-occupancy crew cabins whenever possible to minimize extended periods of close contact with other crew members.
" As ships begin sailing at reduced capacity, this should be easier for cruise operators to accomplish. As the number of guests on board increases, so too will the quantity of crew required, and double rooming may be necessary. While the Panel’s understanding is that it is quite uncommon on modern cruise ships to have large crew bunk rooms (i.e., four or more individuals), the Panel strongly recommends against such arrangements, since they would substantially increase the risk of exposing crew"
Limit crew members’ close contact with guests over extended periods of time wherever possible. When distancing isn’t possible, crew should be provided with additional PPE appropriate to their job type.
Include crew in the surveillance, contact tracing, quarantine, isolation, and debarkation protocols that will be employed in the event that a SARS-CoV2 infection is discovered on board.
"Whereas guests may be able to quarantine in their own cabins, crew (particularly if sharing a cabin) may need to be moved to designated quarantine or isolation rooms. If crew are assured that any necessary medical care will be provided to them at no charge should they contract a SARS-CoV-2 infection, it will help reinforce a culture of self-reporting any relevant symptoms.
The Panel recognizes that in a full-scale debarkation scenario, crew who are well may stay on board the ship and continue to work to keep the vessel operating or return it to a state that is safe for the resumption of cruising. Crew who are not being used for this purpose, however, should remain in their cabins until decontamination takes place and they are notified that wider movement is allowable. "
Provided with regular training on protocols to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and empowered to take action to ensure these protocols are followed by guests and fellow crew members.
Reinforce a culture of honesty and collective responsibility among crew for following protocols and creating a safer environment.
If crew are assured that any necessary medical care will be provided to them at no charge should they contract a SARS-CoV-2 infection, it will help reinforce a culture of self-reporting any relevant symptoms. "
Personal Takeaway
I believe many of our concerns expressed in the crew survey were taken into consideration and we can see it reflected in their attentiveness towards the importance of allowing shore leave opportunities and considering single cabin occupancy and ways of making shopping and the use of internet available for us and mentioning that, should we contract the virus, treatment expenses would be fully covered. It seems that ships will now be more equipped to handle cases onboard with extra medical personnel and equipment.
Like it not, in order to be part of a company we need to adhere to their protocols, including the use of masks and perhaps in the future the application of a vaccine. Of course you can't be forced to, but they can choose not to hire you for not complying.
Read: Support for Crew at Home
In a past newsletter:
"We also want you to know that we are listening to YOU! Thank you to the more than 54,000 crew members who participated in our “Crew Healthy Return to Service” survey this month. We are amazed at the amount of feedback you provided, and we value it tremendously. Your insights have provided us with important information that will help shape the future of life on board for you and cruising on board for our guests. Thank you once again for your participation and ideas."
The main point to remember is that none of these measures need to be permanent once the pandemic is mitigated. I hope to sea you all soon!
Stay Curious!
Related Crew Articles:
Support for Crew at Home
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