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I have been one of the biggest critics of CLIA and the very slow pace of the return of cruising in Australia, but I now have to say I feel very sorry for Joel Katz and the CLIA and I would like to apologise for any criticism! Why?
Well, because it has become clear in recent months that quite simply the government is not listening to, talking to, or speaking with CLIA who have done their very best in very difficult circumstances.
What are those circumstances?
Well, no matter what CLIA says, the government is simply ignoring any approaches by CLIA and will not even consider the restart of cruising or the protocols under which that will happen until 80% double vaccination has been achieved.
That makes little sense to me in that whatever criteria the government wants to place on cruising restarting surely, the government should be hard at work with the industry on the protocols for the restart of cruising, so the operators are all ready and everyone is aware of what they have to do?
Sadly, though, is not the case.
If anyone can correct me, then please do so.
So, the effect of that is that while the international travel ban is lifting soon, cruising remains in limbo, but also what surprises me most is that it appears the cruise companies seem to accept it!
In the meantime, PM Scott Morrison said fully vaccinated Australians may travel overseas next month, but he did not mention cruising.
Morrison has also said that the minister for health will consider updating the human biosecurity emergency period which has been in place since March 18, 2020, and extended until December 17, with the government wanting to remove current travel restrictions related to COVID-19 a month earlier so that fully vaccinated Australians will enter and leave the country in November.
Morrison told the media, “Many countries around the world have now safely reopened to international travel and it will shortly be time for Australia to take the next step,’ adding, ‘In line with the National Plan, our government is balancing the need to minimise the risk that the spread of COV1D-19 presents, with the need to live with the virus”, but nobody asked him about cruising!
In the meantime, Joel Katz said the announcement on the opening of international travel was welcome news for many parts of the Australian travel industry, but he added Australia is now one of the few major cruise markets in the world with no clear plan for cruising’s revival.
He also said, “Australians love to cruise, but we now face the ridiculous possibility that we will travel overseas to take a cruise but won’t be able to sail in our own waters.”
Katz said, ‘We need detailed discussions with Australian governments so we can break the cycle of inaction and agree upon a detailed framework for cruising’s resumption”, adding, “The health protocols introduced overseas are working and we need an opportunity to introduce them in Australia, so we can plan a careful and responsible recovery”.
So, Joel, nobody in Canberra is listening and for you, as a result, having to fight this battle is why I feel sorry for you and CLIA as you are doing what you can with sadly, it appears to no avail.
Written by John Alwyn-Jones, Cruise Editor.