CDC warns against cruise travel, regardless of vaccination status, as COVID-19 Omicron variant spreads

 
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel advisory warning U.S residents to "avoid cruise travel" as the COVID-19 Omicron variant continues to spread rapidly across the country. 
 
 
On Thursday, the CDC updated its guidance for cruise ship travel, moving from a Level 3 to a Level 4 warning — the highest threat level. The CDC previously advised that those who are unvaccinated should avoid cruise and river travel, but now says all residents, even those who are fully vaccinated, should avoid cruises. 
 
The close quarters on ships can allow COVID-19 to spread extremely quickly, increasing the chance of passengers getting the virus, according to the CDC. Data from the organization shows that 5,013 COVID-19 cases were reported by cruise ships between December 15 and 29, compared to the 162 cases reported between November 30 and December 14.
 
The news comes as COVID-19 outbreaks continue to spread aboard U.S.-based cruise ships. Last week, a South Florida-based Carnival Freedom cruise was denied entry to Bonaire and Aruba after an undisclosed number of passengers contracted COVID-19 — even though they'd been required to test negative before boarding a few days earlier. The world's biggest cruise ship, the Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas, also had at least 48 travelers and crew members test positive, all of whom had to be quarantined onboard.
 
Source: CBS News