Posted on 04/19/2021 8:07:10 AM PDT by Capt. Tom
Another Setback for Resuming Cruises in the U.S. There is another setback for resuming cruises in the U.S. as the Public Health Emergency has been extended resulting in the Conditional Sailing Order remaining in place.
While most of the talk lately has been on the Conditional Sail Order from the CDC and what that means for the cruise industry, there has always been a second way the cruise industry can go back to sea. However, that second option seems to be up in the air as well now.
The Conditional Sail Order is only in effect as long as the United States is under a public health emergency. This order has been extended on April 21, 2020, July 23, 2020, October 2, 2020, and January 7, 2021.
Xavier Becerra, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, extended the order again, dashing hopes that the administration would take a step that the CDC has been unwilling to take.
The public health emergency, which has been extended for an additional 90 days, now runs until mid-July. This sets the scene for further cancellations from the cruise lines down the line, while it also creates the framework for the CDC to hold fast to the Conditional Sail Order.
The U.S. Remains Under Public Health Emergency While it may have been unrealistic to think that the Department of Health and Human Services would have overruled the CDC, there have been greater surprises this pandemic. The way out for the cruise industry remains unchanged then as Xavier Becerra released the following statement:
As a result of the continued consequences of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, on this date and after consultation with public health officials as necessary, I, Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services, pursuant to the authority vested in me under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, do hereby renew, effective April 21, 2021, the January 31, 2020, determination by former Secretary Alex M. Azar II, that he previously renewed on April 21, 2020, July 23, 2020, October 2, 2020, and January 7, 2021, that a public health emergency exists and has existed since January 27, 2020, nationwide.
In the US, any situation which is declared a public health emergency will activate the National Disaster Medical System, which allows the federal government to supply medical equipment to where it’s needed.
The public health emergency declaration also allows government agencies to make far-reaching decisions, such as the No-Sail order which has brought cruising to a standstill for over a year now, and the controversial Conditional Sail Order from the CDC.
However, the CDC Director still has the power to rescind the Conditional Sailing Order but from how things look at the moment, there is no hint on that ever happening.
No Changes in Policy The extension of the Public Health Emergency comes at a time when the pressure has been building extensively towards the CDC. Calls for the agency to let cruises resume have been growing louder and louder from all sides.
For now, the cruise lines seem to have to comply with the procedures, policies, and agreements the CDC has laid out for them. Something that has seen widespread criticism. The CDC’s conditional sail order only calls for widespread testing and has not made vaccinations mandatory.
On the other hand, most cruise lines have been vocal about making vaccinations mandatory as long as ships are then able to sail. With that, the pressure has been growing from a political side, as economies are starting to feel the absence of the cruise lines, especially in Florida.
Also Read: Criticism Against the CDC on Resuming Cruises in Recent Senate Hearing
The extension of the public health emergency can be seen then as confirmation from the administration that the cruise lines’ and politicians’ growing pressure have been unable to change the mindset of those in charge. Cruise ships will remain outside of the US, at least for now.
The cruise lines MUST put the pressure on these VILE DEMOCRATS!!
The DEVIL, Xavier Bacceras, needs to be removed from that position ....he wants NO REPUBLICANS to have ANY FUN!!!
I believe that the suits and legislation filed have come too late.
Mainly because they will be decided in the courts, which will take time, and the proposed Laws will go through congress which also will take time.(even if Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Shumer allow the bills to move ahead, or slow walk the legislation)
So at this time I don't pay much attention to recent lawsuits and proposed legislation. The Cruise Lines don't have much time to economically recuperate .
CARNIVAL has announced in early April another 2 BILLION dollar loss for their first quarter of 2021.-Tom
Thanks. I can see the practicality of your comments.
I am trying to piece together my computer lost ping list for cruises, So far this is what I got.
If you want to be off or on the ping list please let me know.
Also let me know if I misspelled your handle. -Tom
Cruise Ping List
George from New England; cll; DarthFuzball; Tennessee Nana;
Fai Mao; Code Toad; Ann Archy; GOPJ; moovova; entropy12;
Dugway Duke; cranked; SJackson; Political Junkie Too;
MayflowerMadam; PJ-Comix; gibsonguy; NormsRevenge;
Chgogal; dennisw; Captain Walker;
Please add me to your ping list. Your information is a good indication of what’s going on with COVID.
I have you on there.
I know I am missing a few more.
My computer takes my word ping list and moves it to another very secure location in my computer and It is like trying to get into FT Knoxv to retrieve it. I am getting better at doing that now,that I previously lost the list. -Tom
CEO Richard Fain from Royal Caribbean has been beating the drum for a year that we will be cruising shortly.
I don’t pay much attention to Fain as he has to cheerlead cruising with rational statements while ignoring the irrational CDC and politicians he has to deal with.
The big 3 cruiseline CEOs always put a good spin on bad cruise news.
Watch below how the CEO of CARNIVAL glosses over another 2 Billion dollar loss. -Tom
https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/carnival-reports-2bn-loss-as-return-gathers-pace/
” the CDC Director still has the power to rescind the Conditional Sailing Order but from how things look at the moment, there is no hint on that ever happening.”
As long as RATs are in power focused on Green New Deal, it NEVER will happen. The EVIL gas-guzzling cruise ships.
“Biden is looking to house the homeless/and or the newly arrived illegals in these idle cruise ships.”
That’ll happen after he and his cronies have chosen the ship they want to keep for their own personal enjoyment. The leftovers will go to illegals.
yep!
I came across an article in Barron’s today which claims Norwegian Cruise Lines has the best chance for a comeback.
That surprises me, since I figured they were the weakest link of the big 3 Cruise companies, and the first to say they could go bankrupt if they couldn't borrow Billions of dollars to stay afloat.
None of the big 3 are out of the woods yet, as this Saga continues. -Tom
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