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»Costa Diadema«: Compulsory break in the port of Santos not far from São Paulo
Photo: Luigi Bongiovanni / imago images / TheNews2
In view of numerous corona cases on ships, cruise operations in Brazil will be suspended until January 21.
The Brazilian branch of the industry association Clia announced the decision and said it was voluntary.
However, the Brazilian health authority also recommended this approach after it had registered a "surge in Covid-19 cases on board ships in the last few days", which indicated a "radical change in the epidemiological scenario".
Trips that have already started may be continued
According to the industry association, the cancellation applies immediately to new departures - ships that are already in service would complete their voyages as planned.
The association will try to resolve differences with the responsible authorities about the interpretation and application of measures that have already been agreed.
Because of numerous corona cases on board, the health surveillance authority Anvisa said it had ordered two cruises to be canceled.
Anvisa also announced investigations against the two cruise companies operating in Brazil - MSC Cruises from Switzerland and Costa Crociere from Italy - for possible non-compliance with health regulations.
In the nine days from December 26 to January 3, a total of 798 people tested positive for the corona virus among passengers and crews of the five cruise ships in Brazil, Anvisa announced.
In the 55 days before, since the start of the season on November 1, there were 31 cases.
60 percent of the most recent cases of infection were found among crew members.
Association still considers cruises to be safe
In other parts of the world, too, ships recently had to interrupt their voyages due to corona cases on board - ocean cruisers from the companies TUI Cruises and Aida Cruises were affected.
The voyage of the Aida Nova ended unplanned in Lisbon, Mein Schiff 6 has stopped its voyage in Dubai.
In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on the other hand, passengers on a Holland America Line ship were not allowed to disembark shortly before Christmas due to corona cases - despite the holidays.
A few days later they were allowed to go ashore in another Mexican port.
The international association Clia nevertheless assures that cruises are still safe thanks to strict health regulations.
apr / dpa / AP