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U.S. cruise ship travel suspended for remainder of year affecting Cozumel, Mahahual

Cozumel, Mahahual, Q.R. — A representative from the Cruise Lines International Association says that its members have agreed to extend their suspension of cruise travel in the United States for the remainder of the year.

The announcement was made Tuesday by the group, which represents 95 percent of the industry including Princess, Carnival and Royal Caribbean, an announcement that will hit regional areas such as Cozumel and Mahahual hard.

Their decision comes days after both Carnival and Norwegian extended the suspension of their activities for the remainder of 2020. The announcement comes just days after the U.S. government lifted its no-sail order, despite a global spike in coronavirus infections.

The group stated that its members voluntarily agreed to keep the travel suspension in the United States in place for the rest of the year, saying they “will use the remainder of the year to prepare for the implementation of extensive measures to address COVID-19 safety” with the guidance of public health experts and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On Friday, federal health authorities issued new rules that would allow cruise companies to operate ships in U.S. waters, though not immediately. Among the CDC guidelines, all passengers and all crew members be tested for Coronavirus at the beginning and end of each trip, which cannot last more than seven days.