New procedures will be revealed in the next few days after work by the Blue Ribbon Covid Expert Group, which comprises key figures from the scientific and medical worlds.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ executive chairman, said: “The objective of our Blue Ribbon Covid Expert Group in the fields of medicine, public health, and/or related scientific disciplines is to create a group of highly qualified and internationally respected experts to inform and review our initiatives as they relate to Covid-19 to help ensure actions taken are appropriate, effective, and informed by the best available science and health practices.

“This Expert Group will have competency to review policy initiatives, technical innovations, or operational measures related to Covid-19. It will remain in place long beyond our return to operations to ensure we benefit from their know-how and input even as the situation continues to evolve and more data become available.”
 
MSC’s new operating protocol – details of which will be announced soon – has been designed to meet and exceed guidelines provided by bodies including the World Health Organization, the EU Healthy Gateways Joint Action and European Maritime Safety Agency.

It will be overseen by third party verification.