Picture: Andrew Ramit en Pixabay

Cruise lines will no longer be obliged to follow COVID guidance on ships as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in U.S.

The CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, which was extended and modified in October expired last Saturday.

The health agency’s COVID guidance for cruise ships will become voluntary, the CDC confirmed to USA TODAY. This means cruise lines can choose whether to follow the health agency’s guidance or not.

The health agency “is transitioning to a voluntary COVID-19 risk mitigation program” the CDC said in a statement shared by spokesperson David Daigle.

The program includes guidance and recommendations for cruise ships to keep operating in a way that fosters a safer and healthier environment for passengers, crew and impacted communities, according to the CDC.

USA Today