The year has been a learning lesson of sorts for all of us in many ways. While we adapt and adjust to the ‘new normal’ in the post-pandemic world, the travel and tourism industry, too, has been making changes to its methods of operation. The most recent of them is the Viking Star cruise ship, which is now offering the world’s first COVID-19 testing lab on a cruise ship. By Amitha Ameen
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Ever since the Coronavirus pandemic has rudely interrupted our lives, the words PCR testing and nose swab have made it to our daily vocabulary. As travel restrictions continue to ease around the world and people slowly begin to venture out for travel — hotels, restaurants, airlines, and cruises are all coming up with innovative ways to resume business without compromising on the safety of their guests and staff.
In a one-of-its-kind initiative, the Viking Star cruise ship is now offering the world’s first COVID-19 testing on a cruise ship. “We have been working on this for a number of months, and today is important as it moves us one step closer to operating cruises again, without compromising the safety of our guests and crew,” said Matt Grimes, Vice President of maritime operations for Viking (as reported on The National News).
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The on-board laboratory on the Viking Star cruise liner will be able to efficiently process daily tests for all the 930 passengers and crew members regularly. And the cruise liner plans to showcase the efficiency of the same when the Viking Star arrives in Oslo, Norway in mid-December. The announcement of the COVID-19 testing on a cruise ship came at a time when Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted its no-sail policy in the US.
The pandemic had shut down sailings in most of the places around the world. Gradually, some of the cruises have resumed operations with necessary precautions. Additionally, members of the Cruise Lines International Association met and decided on new rules and regulations to ensure smooth sailing of cruises during this time.
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