US citizens have been warned not to travel on cruise ships in a move that could have a huge knock-on effect on the tourism industry.
The US State Department issued the warning Sunday amid heightened anxiety about the spread of the coronavirus.
It follows advice from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that there is an increased risk of spreading the virus between people in close quarters aboard ships.
“Recent reports of COVID-19 on cruise ships highlight the risk of infection to cruise ship passengers and crew,” the CDC said in a statement.
Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam issued a similar warning Monday, advising people, especially the elderly, to reconsider going on cruises for the time being.
Industry groups were fighting back Monday over concerns of an economic crisis in the travel and tourism industry.
“Any action to restrict cruising is unwarranted and at odds with the World Health Organization, which continues to advise against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks,” the Cruise Lines International Association said in a statement.
In Cayman, business owners say coronavirus fears could make this a tough season for those that depend on cruise customers.
Chris Kirkconnell, of Kirk Freeport, said the advice from the US State Department was likely bad news for the industry.
If there is a significant drop in arrivals, he said, several operators would have to decrease opening hours or cut staff.
“We are watching it day-by-day, week-by-week; if we do see a major impact, we will have to make decisions about the operations,” he said.
He added that the business was already looking at whether it needed to reduce the amount of products it was bringing in.
For smaller operators, he said, the impacts could be more significant.
“I can’t imagine businesses that depend on cruise tourists being able to keep full days and full staff if there is a major impact,” he said.
Kirkconnell added the situation was still changing rapidly and it was possible that the virus would die down in the coming months.
“We don’t know what the next few months look like yet. It is moving very fast,” he said.
Robert Hamaty, owner of Tortuga Rum, said the virus and the travel warnings were very concerning and would likely mean a reduction in tourist visitation.
“I do believe the cruise industry will respond with clean ships, and passenger and crew fitness requirements,” he said.
He added he hoped ports of call would coordinate with the cruise industry over when to deny entry to passengers.
Hamaty also noted that Cayman’s high temperature may protect the islands from the spread of the virus.
For Shane Ebanks, of Tours Cayman, which runs trips to the Cayman Turtle Centre among others, lost business would be bad news.
“Of course, it is a concern for us all, but we are a small island and we have to put safety first,” he said. “We are taking it one day at a time. I hope and pray that they find a vaccine soon but, until then, we have to take all precautions necessary.
“I certainly can’t afford to lose the business. There is a lot of people that depend on these ships, so I am hoping it doesn’t get so bad that we have nobody coming in at all.”
Related Videos
