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.
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.