MSC is introducing mandatory "non-touch thermal scans" for all guests and crew prior to embarkation. The tests will be carried out prior to every cruise operated by MSC anywhere in the world.
Those with signs or symptoms of illness such as fever, feverishness, chills, coughing or breathing difficulty will not be allowed to board.
Guests will also be required to complete a pre-embarkation questionnaire to ensure no-one boards having travelled from, or having visited, mainland China up to 30 days before departure. Anyone who has will not be allowed to board.
MSC said the precautionary measures were designed to protect the health and wellbeing of guests and crew across its global fleet.
It follows the World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision on Thursday (30 January) to declare coronavirus a global health emergency.
“MSC Cruises has undertaken a series of actions since 24 January, and due to the latest coronavirus developments, today [Thursday] implemented additional public health measures across its fleet,” said MSC in a statement.
“While there are no cases of coronavirus onboard any of MSC Cruises’ ships, these measures are additional steps to secure the health and well-being of all guests and crew.”
Additional measures include deeper sanitation measures onboard every MSC ship.
Guests who develop fever symptoms, meanwhile, will be isolated in their cabin.
“The same measure applies for their close contacts, including guests staying in the same cabin and family members, as well as any crew member who may have served these guests,” said MSC.
“Guests and crew who travelled last week from mainland China were already screened for symptoms upon embarkation, and were requested to report any symptoms of illness to the onboard medical centre,” MSC added.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises, meanwhile, has pledged to implement similar measures following the WHO’s ruling. These include:
- Denial of boarding for guests who have travelled from or through mainland China (including Hubei province) in the past 14 days. This does not apply to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan
- Pre-boarding medical evaluations, including temperature checks, for anyone with respiratory or fever symptoms
- All guests to be made subject to standard pre-boarding health reporting advising them of their reporting obligations for any illness or symptoms of an illness
- Medical screening for coronavirus for all guests who visit our onboard Medical Centre with symptoms of any respiratory illness
- Reporting to local and national health authorities all cases of fever and respiratory illness, and any patients with suspected coronavirus infection
- Crew members from mainland China will be delayed from joining any ship until further notice
- Additional sanitation and cleaning protocols
