HomeMy WebLinkAbout04072021 PACAB Laydown - Terry Statement CLI i
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For Immediate Release
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Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Issues Statement
Reiterating Its Call for the Lifting of the CDC's Conditional Sailing Order
WASHINGTON, DC,April 5, 2021—CLIA,which represents 95%of global ocean-going cruise capacity and the largest
network of travel agents and agencies specializing in cruise travel,today reiterated its call for the Framework for
Conditional Sailing Order(CSO)to be lifted—issuing the following statement:
We share the priority of the Biden Administration to control the virus—and commend the significant
advancements made in the US that are a model for others. We also respect the authority of the CDC to
implement measures in the interest of public health. However,the additional cruise industry instructions
issued April 2nd by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) under the Framework for Conditional Sailing
(CSO) are disappointing.The new requirements are unduly burdensome, largely unworkable,and seem to
reflect a zero-risk objective rather than the mitigation approach to COVID that is the basis for every other
US sector of our society.The effect of these new mandates is that nearly half a million Americans--from
longshoremen and ground transportation operators to hotel, restaurant,and retail workers,travel
agents, and tens of thousands of businesses that service cruise ships,are continuing to financially suffer
with no reasonable timeline provided for the safe return of cruising.
Moreover,the instructions are at odds with the approach the CDC and governments in other parts of the
world apply to all other travel and tourism segments in mitigating the risk of COVID-19. On the same day
CDC issued new onerous requirements for the cruise industry,five months after the original order,CDC
issued relaxed guidance for domestic and international travel due to vaccination progress and recognition
of the improved public health environment.
Nearly 400,000 passengers have already sailed from Europe and parts of Asia since last summer,following
stringent, science-based protocols that resulted in a far lower incident rate than on land.The irony is that
today an American can fly to any number of destinations to take a cruise, but cannot board a ship in the
U.S.This deprives U.S.workers from participating in the economic recovery and does not recognize the
public health advances that have been made over many months,including the ability to effectively mitigate
risk on cruise ships.With no discernable path forward or timeframe for resumption in the U.S., more
sailings originating in the Caribbean and elsewhere are likely to be announced,effectively shutting
American ports,closing thousands of American small businesses,and pushing an entire industry off-shore.
CLIA urges the Administration to consider the ample evidence that supports lifting the CSO this month to
allow for the planning of a controlled return to service this summer. If anything,the announcement last
Friday is a clarion call for closer cooperation and coordination among stakeholders to achieve the
President's goal of reaching a 'new normal' by the Fourth of July.Working together,we can avoid the
negative consequences that come when cruising,and the workers who support it, are not afforded the
same opportunities as other workers working in industries with far fewer practices in place to provide for
public health and well-being.
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Cruise Lines International Association
c... .ing.org
STATEMENT(April 5, 2021): CLIK
CLIA Statement Reiterating Call to Lift the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order
About the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
CLIA is the world's largest cruise industry trade association,providing a unified voice and is the leading authority of the global
cruise community. On behalf of its members,affiliates and partners,the organization supports policies and practices that foster
a secure, healthy, and sustainable cruise ship environment,promoting positive travel experiences for the more than 30 million
passengers who have cruised annually.The CLIA community includes the world's most prestigious ocean,river,and specialty
cruise lines;a highly trained and certified travel agent community;and a widespread network of stakeholders,including ports&
destinations,ship development,suppliers,and business services.CLIA represents 95%of the world's ocean-going cruise
capacity,as well as 54,000 travel agents,and 15,000 of the largest travel agencies in the world.The organization's global
headquarters are in Washington,DC,with regional offices located in North and South America, Europe,Asia,and Australasia.
For more information,please visit cruising.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram,Twitter,and YouTube with our handle
@CLIAGlobal—or on Linkedln.
Members of the media,please contact us at press@cruising.org for more information.
Cruise Lines International Association page 2
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