Advice for the cruise industry
The following advice provides COVID-19 risk mitigation measures specific to NSW for all cruise vessels intending to enter or leave a NSW port.
- From 14 October 2022, it is not mandatory to self-isolate in the NSW community if you test positive to COVID-19. However, in accordance with the Eastern Seaboard and Western Australian Cruise Protocols (PDF 217.31KB), people who test positive to COVID-19 on a cruise ship are required to self-isolate for 5 days while onboard.
- NSW Health recommends that passengers wear masks in public indoor areas, and in crowded outdoor spaces. Crew should wear masks at all times whilst working indoors.
All domestic and international cruise vessels operating in NSW waters should comply with the NSW Government-approved Eastern Seaboard and Western Australian Cruise Protocols (PDF 217.31KB). It is strongly recommended that all domestic and international cruise vessels also comply with the CDNA National Guidelines for Cruising in Australia.
This should be read in conjunction with the NSW Government-approved Eastern Seaboard and Western Australian Cruise Protocols (PDF 217.31KB) and the CDNA National Guidelines for Cruising in Australia.
Reporting requirements
All domestic and international cruise vessels travelling to a NSW port are required to report COVID-19 cases and status updates to NSW Health.
All vessels should complete the Cruise vessel reporting template for acute respiratory and gastrointestinal infection (XLSX 597.35KB)
This should be sent to NSW Health (NSWH-MaritimeResponse@health.nsw.gov.au) at the following times:
1. In the 24 hours prior to arrival.
- Vessels arriving in NSW from an international port must also complete the required Australian Government documentation within the indicated timeframes.
2. On the identification of a person(s) who has tested positive to COVID-19 on board the vessel.
- Thereafter, the Cruise vessel reporting template for acute respiratory and gastrointestinal infection (XLSX 597.35KB) should be completed in line with Table 1.
3. On transition to another category in Table 1.
- The Cruise vessel reporting template for acute respiratory and gastrointestinal infection (XLSX 597.35KB) should be sent to NSWH-MaritimeResponse@health.nsw.gov.au in the timeframes indicated in Table 1.
After receipt of the Cruise vessel reporting template for acute respiratory and gastrointestinal infection, the relevant jurisdictional health authority will make contact with the shipping agent, master of the vessel, or ship’s doctor as appropriate. This may include a request for additional information and further assessment to determine if additional risk mitigation measures are required on board.
Table 1 – Critical outbreak thresholds for COVID-19 reporting purposes
These risk tiers are based on the Eastern Seaboard and Western Australian Cruise Protocols and CDNA National Guidelines for Cruising in Australia.
All reporting times are in Australian Eastern Daylight-saving Time (EDT).
These reporting requirements are in addition to mandatory reporting through the Biosecurity Act 2015
| Risk level | % of Passengers and Crew Onboard that are COVID-19 Active Cases | Operational compromise | Reporting |
|---|---|---|---|
Tier 1 | 0.0% to <3% | There may be minor impact to staffing and/or resources. No impact to critical services (including healthcare, cleaning, core food and beverage services, engineering, and other services critical to the safe operation of the vessel) e.g. Staff may be required to work unrostered overtime, or be reallocated to support critical services. | If there are no cases on board:
Once a case has been identified:
|
Tier 2 | 3% to <10% (or min. 20 persons for vessels with <150 persons) | Moderate impact to staffing and/or resources. Able to maintain critical services. e.g. Reduced opening hours or closure of non-essential services (such as entertainment or recreational facilities) to support critical services |
|
Tier 3 | ≥10% | Major impact to staffing and/or resource shortages. Unable to maintain critical services and/or imminent cessation of critical services. e.g. Reduction in critical staffing or resources that cannot be compensated (such as impact to healthcare workers, engineering staff, or shortages of food or PPE) |
|
COVID-19 testing
Testing before disembarkation
Vessels that have travelled to an international port:
All passengers and crew on board vessels that have travelled to an international port during their voyage are recommended to follow the advice in the COVID-19 information for international arrivals.
This includes passengers and crew who enter Australia in another state or territory and then travel to NSW within the first 14 days.
All vessels disembarking into a NSW port (including shore excursions):
It is strongly recommended that operators have robust testing systems in place to manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission to regional, rural and remote communities in NSW.
Vessels with a Tier 2 category should consider pre-disembarkation testing to reduce this risk.
Vessels with a Tier 3 category are strongly recommended to ensure passengers and crew participate in pre-disembarkation testing.
- The decision to test should be made in consultation with local health authorities.
Pre-disembarkation testing should be via PCR or a self-administered rapid antigen test (RAT) and should be organised by the operator of the vessel.
Such measures should be in addition to testing of high-risk contacts prior to disembarkation, and exclusion of active cases from disembarking for shore activities. Symptomatic travellers who test negative to COVID-19 should remain in their cabin to prevent spread of infection.
Positive Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)
Crew or passengers who test positive on a rapid antigen test (RAT) on a vessel that is in a NSW port, or due to stop at a NSW port next in its itinerary, should ensure that their positive result is registered on Service NSW website.
Crew surveillance screening
RATs are an important risk mitigant in high-risk settings and should be used to help screen for COVID-19, particularly for settings where there is demonstrated or suspected transmission of COVID-19.
An appropriate frequency of testing is an important strategy in managing this risk. In line with the Eastern Seaboard and Western Australian Cruise Protocols (PDF 217.31KB), this should be at a minimum frequency of every 14 days. During a Tier 2 and Tier 3 COVID-19 outbreak, cruise lines should increase surveillance testing of all crew to at least every 7 days.
Monitoring for symptoms
All crew and passengers should monitor carefully for symptoms of COVID-19 throughout their cruise.
If symptoms develop at any time, they should immediately have a COVID-19 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. Where PCR is not available, a rapid antigen test may be considered. If the person has a negative rapid antigen test result, they should remain in isolation until they have a second negative rapid antigen test taken at least 24 hours after the first test.
If their COVID-19 test result is negative, it is recommended that they are also tested for influenza.
Entering a NSW port outside of metropolitan Sydney
All cruise vessels should take reasonable steps to protect NSW communities at high risk of COVID-19.
All cruise vessels should have robust COVID-19 Safety Plans in place that take into consideration the unique needs of local communities into which shore excursions and disembarkation is planned. Consultation with the local health authority is strongly recommended.
All vessels should take additional precautions to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 into regional and other high-risk communities.
This may include:
- Considering scheduling rural and regional port visits early in the vessel’s travel itinerary.
- Conducting COVID-19 testing and health screening prior to disembarkation (see COVID-19 testing for further information.)
- Changing itineraries to reduce community interaction (e.g. cancellation of shore excursions or guided tours) when there are concerning levels of circulating infection on the vessel (for example, vessels that are categorised as Tier 2 and Tier 3.
- Ensuring there are comprehensive COVID-19 Safety Plans in place to mitigate transmission risk for all activities during the excursion.
NSW Health may recommend further risk mitigation measures (such as enhanced testing, mask usage, or changes to itineraries) in addition to those introduced by the vessel. This will depend on the status of the outbreak on board the vessel, current level of community transmission, capacity of local clinical services, and whether there is a new or emerging public health or clinical risk identified.
In circumstances where there is a significant risk to local communities, the Chief Health Officer may recommend cancelling a visit to a port outside of metropolitan Sydney.
COVID-19 policies and procedures
The cruise vessel’s COVID-19 Safety Policies and Procedures should address all elements of the passenger and crew experience.
This should include, but is not limited to:
- COVID-19 testing and surveillance for passengers and crew.
- Communication with passengers regarding COVID-19 risks, mitigation measures, and outbreak management, prior to the cruise and during the cruise.
- Management of embarkation, disembarkation and shore excursions.
- Management of cases in crew and passengers while on board the vessel and during disembarkation.
- Reporting and notification processes for positive COVID-19 test results.
- Clinical assessment, support and evacuation procedures for passengers and crew with COVID-19.
- Isolation capacity and processes for passengers and crew with COVID-19 or who are a high risk contact of a person with COVID-19.
- Environmental measures such as cleaning, ventilation and capacity limitations for all communal areas including dining areas, communal recreation, casinos, smoking areas, and theatres.