Mexican authorities sent a Holland America cruise ship back to San Diego after crew members tested positive for COVID19. The Koningsdam cruise ship was scheduled to stop in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
On December 23, 21 crew members tested positive for COVID19. According to Mexico’s Ministry of Health, only one crew tested positive aboard the Holland America cruise ship before the ship departed from San Diego on December 19. The ship went to Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan before the cruise line discovered more cases on December 23.
A Holland America spokesperson said all of the crew members who tested positive completed their vaccine doses. Also, the crew members only exhibited mild symptoms. According to the cruise line, those who tested positive are on quarantine.
The latest outbreak affected more than 1,000 passengers aboard the Koningsdam. In a statement, the cruise line said that “Due to a last-minute notification from authorities that guests would not be permitted ashore, the ship departed and will return to San Diego to arrive in two days as scheduled”. Holland America added that “Guests were notified and continue to enjoy activities aboard the vessel”.
The cruise line said that Koningsdam had two more days of travel after it left Puerto Vallarta.
The cruise line implements a number of COVID19 safety protocols. For one, it requires masks indoors for guests and staff. Also, both passengers and crew members need to show proof of completing COVID19 vaccination doses. Plus, they will have to provide a negative test before boarding.
Holland America isn’t the only ship that reported COVID19 cases onboard. Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line were among cruise lines that reported multiple COVID19 cases onboard.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently working with health experts and industry partners to learn more about the omicron variant. CDC spokesperson Dave Daigle said that “We are still learning how easily it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and how well available vaccines and medications work against it”. He also said that “cruise travel is not a zero-risk activity”.
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