In the face of the coronavirus outbreak and the growing struggle to control it, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has outlined emergency measures to deny boarding to some categories of people, with immediate effect – while in a separate move, Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) is seeking feedback from the industry on the impact on business of bushfires and coronavirus.
CLIA members have suspended crew movements from mainland China and will deny boarding to any individual, whether guest or crew, who has travelled from or through mainland China within the previous 14 days.
CLIA issued a statement on 2019-Novel Coronavirus, as follows:
The safety and health of passengers is the number one priority of CLIA members. CLIA and its member lines maintain close contact with health professionals and regulators around the world, including the World Health Organization (WHO), and are continually assessing and modifying policies and procedures as developments emerge.
This includes the modification of itineraries, where needed, in light of evolving circumstances, as well as health, travel and contact screening where appropriate, for guests and crew who have recently travelled from or through the affected area consistent with prevailing guidance from global health authorities. Screening protocols allow for informed decisions on a case-by-case basis whether a guest or crewmember will be denied boarding.
CLIA Members have suspended crew movements from mainland China and will deny boarding to any individual, whether guest or crew, who has travelled from or through mainland China within the previous 14 days.
Importantly, the cruise industry is one of the most well-equipped and experienced when it comes to managing and monitoring health conditions of passengers and crew. Cruise lines take precautions to conduct passive as well as active screening of passengers and crew for illness prior to boarding when circumstances demand. Furthermore, CLIA members implement outbreak prevention and response measures and their ships must be fitted with medical facilities, shipboard and shore side medical professionals available around the clock, 24/7, to provide initial medical care in the event of illness and prevent disease transmission.
MEANWHILE, on the meetings front, MEA said last night it recently met with the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator Simon Birmingham, along with Austrade and tourism industry leaders to be briefed on the federal government’s response to the Novel Coronavirus outbreak.
Senator Birmingham confirmed that all federal government departments and agencies are working together to ensure that the general public is kept informed and the Government is taking a cautionary approach based on the latest medical advice.
The government’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, has issued some early advice and guidance on managing concerns over the Coronavirus for tourism operators. The advice includes:
• guests who are well but may be incubating the virus should isolate themselves in their hotel rooms for 14 days
• practical information for your staff on engaging with guests who are well, but are in isolation
• the importance of guests in isolation seeking medical advice if they become ill
• accessing further information on this emerging situation at www.health.gov.au.
The Department of Health has developed two fact sheets – for Hotels and Hotel Staff and Hotel Guests.
MEA’S CALL FOR INDUSTRY FEEDBACK
Both the bushfires and the coronavirus will seriously impact the tourism industry, affecting domestic and international travel. The events industry will similarly be affected.
There have been stories of cancellations across Australia from venues, hotels and tourism attractions.
Robyn Johnson, chief executive of MEA has called on the event industry to provide feedback to MEA on any business that has either been cancelled or postponed and the potential loss of revenue that this represent. Ms Johnson commented, “It is important the industry has up-to-date information to inform our governments how the fires and the coronavirus have impacted our industry, and so that we can best represent our members”.
Please send your response to MEA CEO, Robyn Johnson. All information will be kept confidential and will only be used collectively in order to create a snapshot for government.
.jpg){kind=tracking}
