Concerns over the contagious Delta variant and breakout cases in vaccinated travellers prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to extend January cruise ship industry restrictions that had been set for expiration next week.

The CDC allows cruise ships to be operated in certain conditions, including the need for safety measures such as masks and testing crew members and passengers. The extension of the order on Monday by the CDC was to be lifted on Nov. 1. However, it will now become voluntary for cruise ship operators.

The CDC released a Monday statement saying that the procedures used to restart passenger operations had prevented overcrowding of onboard facilities or burdening resources at shoreside hospitals. Due to the spread of the Delta-variant, the CDC has temporarily extended the Order.

To ensure compliance, all foreign-flagged cruise vessels carrying more than 250 passengers have to comply with this order. Failure to obtain a Covid-19 Conditional Sail Certificate from the CDC from the CDC may result in cruise ships being barred from US waters.

In order to secure certification, cruise operators will need to instruct their crews in Covid prevention strategies and follow their testing and quarantine guidelines. The order also requires that they “provide a hospital level care” and stock their ships with protective equipment such as masks, ventilators and other medical aids for Covid victims.

The CDC conditional cruise order requires that cruise operators test all passengers for Covid, prohibit any Covid-infected patients from boarding the ship and keep them away from staff and other travellers. All federal hygiene regulations for sanitation and masking must be adhered to by cruise ships.