Asked by: Jackie Doyle-Price (Conservative - Thurrock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the cruise industry as required by paragraph 38 of the 2nd Global Travel Taskforce report; and when he plans to update his Department's guidance on ocean cruises in response to that MoU.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The FCDO and Department for Transport have proposed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with cruise operators to ensure there is a clear understanding of the responsibilities of both operators and government should repatriation of cruise passengers be required. Discussions between the cruise industry and government are nearing completion. An agreed MoU is one aspect of the conditions required for the safe restart of international cruising. Travel advice for cruises will continue to be informed by the latest public health risk assessments.
Asked by: Jackie Doyle-Price (Conservative - Thurrock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress he has made on implementing Recommendation seven of the Global Travel Taskforce report, published on 5 April 2021, to ensure international cruises restart alongside the wider restart of international travel in line with the country traffic light system.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The FCDO remains fully committed to working closely with the Department for Transport and industry following the publication of the second Global Travel Taskforce report. International cruises are expected to restart alongside the wider restart of international travel, in line with the "traffic light" system. This will be subject to continued satisfactory evidence from the domestic restart and cruising in other countries. Travel advice for cruises will continue to be informed by the latest public health risk assessments.
Asked by: Jackie Doyle-Price (Conservative - Thurrock)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in light of the International Maritime Organisation Circular Letter No.4204/Add.33 on cruise resumption dated 5 November 2020, if he will update his Department's travel advice on ocean cruises during the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The FCDO advises against ocean cruising based on medical risk assessments by public health officials. We keep this advice under continuous review.
The FCDO remains fully committed to working closely with public health experts, the Department for Transport and key industry leaders to agree on the steps required to restart cruises safely.