There Is An Offshore Corona Virus Outbreak, Brazilian Cruise Companies Choose To Suspend Operations

JAKARTA - Cruise ship companies in Brazil will suspend most operations until January 21, an industry association said on Monday, after health authorities recommended that cruise ships not travel following several offshore outbreaks of the coronavirus.

Industry association Clia said no ships would take off during the "voluntary" period of suspension, which could be extended, while ships at sea would complete their voyage.

Last week, Brazil's national health regulator Anvisa recommended shipping companies temporarily halt operations, after five ships off the coast of Brazil recorded more than 300 new COVID-19 cases.

"During this pause, Clia worked on behalf of the shipping companies operating in the country, MSC Cruzeiros and Costa Cruzeiros, to find points of alignment with the federal, Anvisa, state and municipal governments," the association said in a statement citing Reuters 4 January.

To note, MSC Cruzeiros and Costa Cruzeiros are subsidiaries of Swiss-Italian cruise lines MSC Cruises and Carnival Corp, respectively.

Clia made his announcement after federal, state and city officials met with representatives from the tourism industry on the matter.