Viking Cruises has announced that the installation of the first full-scale PCR laboratory at sea on board its 930-guest Viking Star has been completed.
Viking says that this is an industry first, enabling Viking to conduct PCR testing of all crew members and guests with a non-invasive saliva test, with the lab having enough capacity for daily testing of every crew member and guest, which provides flexibility to respond to COVID-19 prevalence levels around the world.
The company said the lab will undergo a series of extensive tests to ensure the procedures and protocols that have been designed are fully effective, with Matt Grimes, Vice President of Maritime Operations for Viking, saying, “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.”
“The recently announced CDC guidelines are clearly aligned with our public health research, and we welcome the agency’s push toward testing, as we believe this is the only way to safely operate.”
“In our view, continuous PCR testing, along with our extensive onboard hygiene protocols, will lead to making Viking ships a safe place to get away to and explore the world.”
Viking says that it will be demonstrating the PCR laboratory, as well as new design and operating procedures on board the Viking Star in Oslo in mid-November.
A report by John Alwyn-Jones
.jpg){kind=tracking}
