Port of Cork Cruise Season 2020 and Covid-19 Precautionary Measures

The Port of Cork is following all necessary guidelines from the HSE. Cruise ship tourism offer no higher risks compared to tourists visiting Cork via airports or public transport, however following dialogue with the HSE concerning Corona Virus / COVID 19, the Port of Cork will ensure that all vessels / agents must complete the Maritime Declaration of Health (MDoH) to SafeSeas Ireland (SSI).

In addition to this, the Port of Cork has implemented the following measures:

1. Passenger details of those joining in Cobh/Cork must be notified to Port Health and the Port Authority prior to arrival, by the cruise line.
2. Local tourism ambassadors will not board the vessel until further notice. Tourism information will be emailed to the vessel directly.
3. All vessels should have an adequate supply of hand sanitation wash for passengers and crew at the disembarkation gangways, internally and externally.
4. All vessels will display the appropriate information relating to COVID-19 in public areas for passengers and crew.
5. Passengers should disembark promptly and proceed to the excursion busses or other transport, please do not linger at the gangway area.
6. The cruise line should notify all official tour operators to ensure all busses are sanitized prior to passengers boarding for day trips.
7. No unnecessary ship visits are to be scheduled during the port stay. Visitors will be stopped by Port Security until the ship has verified the visit is essential.
8. Large groups of shore visitors going onboard shall be prohibited (i.e Travel Agents, Schools visits etc)

The Port of Cork is keenly aware of public concern over the Covid-19 and while all cruise lines and their passengers will be welcomed to Cork, the Port is also following advice from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice of the global cruise industry, on the adoption of additional enhanced screening measures in response to COVID-19.

Examples of such measures put in place by CLIA are:

• Deny boarding to all persons who have travelled from, visited or transited via airports in South Korea, Iran, China, including Hong Kong and Macau, and any municipality in Italy subject to lockdown (quarantine) measures by the Italian Government, as designated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within 14 days prior to embarkation.
• Conduct illness screening for all persons who have travelled from, visited or transited via airports in any destinations listed on the U.S. CDC “Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel” page within 14 days before embarkation. Illness screening includes symptom history checks for fever, cough and difficulty breathing in the 14 days before embarkation and taking of temperature.
• Deny boarding to all persons who, within 14 days prior to embarkation, have had contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having COVID-19, or who are currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to COVID-19.
• Conduct pre-boarding screening necessary to effectuate these prevention measures. Enhanced screening and initial medical support are to be provided, as needed, to any persons exhibiting symptoms of suspected COVID-19.

Further information https://cruising.org/

The full list of cruise liners calling in 2020 can be found at www.portofcork.ie