Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 19, 2020 (ZIZ News):The arrival of a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to dock in St. Kitts has been delayed
In Tuesday night’s edition of Leadership Matters Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said much was considered and deliberated on over a two-week period before the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines was given the greenlight for safe harbour for two of its vessels – Rhapsody of the Seas and Vision of the Seas.
The first vessel, Rhapsody of the Seas was scheduled to dock at Port Zante today, Wednesday, August 19. However, its arrival was delayed as health experts consider additional information. The Vision of the Seas is expected to arrive on August 24.
The prime minister also noted that the experts advised that the risk associated with the granting of safe harbouring for the two vessels is very low.
In outlining the reasons why, Prime Minister Harris said the crews of both vessels were all required to have a negative COVID-19 test results before boarding from their home countries; they were quarantined on the ship under the supervision of the ship’s doctor for 14 days before assuming duties and physically interacting with the rest of the crew, and that the review of the health records of all crew members show they are in good health.
The crew members will all be retested at the end of 14 days and only released from quarantine if they all test negative. It is only after the return of a negative RT-PCR test on day one and day 14 will they be allowed to disembark the vessels.
Aware of the need to generate economic activity in the country while minimizing the health risk to the citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Harris said this decision to provide safe harbour for the vessels will not make a significant impact now “but in the medium term we will benefit.”