Major cruise lines add mandatory temperature screenings before boarding
Passengers on some major cruise ships will have their temperatures taken before they are allowed to board cruise ships.
The new health screenings are being implemented to prevent the spread of the coronavirus on major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Disney.
According to a letter sent to people with upcoming cruises, passengers and crew will have their temperatures taken with a digital, no-touch thermometer.
If somebody鈥檚 temperature is above 100.4 degrees, they and anyone else in their party will undergo a secondary health screening.
Passengers who are required to undergo secondary screenings will have their temperature checked again. They will undergo a pulse oximetry reading, which means a small device will be placed on their finger to measure their oxygen level. Then, a medical professional will check the passenger for flu-like symptoms, respiratory illness, etc. That person would make a final assessment to understand if they are fit to sail.
If a person is denied boarding, the person will receive a 100% future cruise credit.
The Cruise Line International Association said earlier this week that it has , screening each and every person prior to boarding.
Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Holland American Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, which use Port Tampa Bay, are part of CLIA and the new regulations.
Passengers are not allowed to cruise if they鈥檝e traveled through airports in China, South Korea, Iran or parts of Italy in the last two weeks. Passengers are also not allowed on the ship if they are currently being monitored for the virus or have been in contact with someone diagnosed within the past 14 days.
Vice President Mike Pence will meet with cruise line officials this weekend to discuss safety precautions amid the outbreak.