CDC says to avoid cruises no matter COVID-19 vaccine status

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some harsh news for people planning to embark on a voyage — avoid all cruises no matter your vaccination status.

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The CDC has raised the travel health notice to level 4 — its highest, for cruise ships — Reuters reported.

The CDC said, “Even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants,” Reuters reported.

The agency said COVID-19 spreads easily on ships because of the close quarters and that the chance for someone to get the virus is very high even if a person has had all three shots, CNBC reported.

If travelers are still willing to take the risk, the CDC advises them to be fully vaccinated including the booster shot, and then self-quarantine for five days after returning home, CNBC reported.

Cruise Lines International Association said the group is disappointed by the announcement.

“We’re obviously disappointed at the CDC’s decision to raise the travel level for (a) cruise today — especially given the overwhelming level of effectiveness of cruise protocols that are resulting in significantly lower level of cases on (a) cruise as compared to land,” Brian Salerno, the senior vice president of global maritime policy at CLIA, told CNBC.

The CDC is investigating more than 80 ships because of outbreaks on board.

>>Related: CDC investigating more than 85 cruise ships following COVID-19 outbreaks

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