India’s surge hits southern states, prompts more lockdowns

 BENGALURU, India (AP) - Two southern states in India became the latest to declare lockdowns, as coronavirus cases surge at breakneck speed across the country and pressure mounts on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to implement a nationwide shutdown.

At over 300,000, Karnataka's capital of Bengaluru has the highest active caseload of any Indian city. But experts warn the worst is still ahead as India's third-largest city buckles under oxygen shortages, overrun hospitals and crowded crematoriums. In Tamil Nadu state, the lockdown announcement followed a daily record of more than 26,000 cases on Friday.

Infections have swelled in India since February in a disastrous turn blamed on more contagious variants as well as government decisions to allow massive crowds to gather for religious festivals and political rallies.

On Saturday, India reported 401,078 confirmed cases, including a record high of 4,187 deaths. Overall, India has more than 21.8 million confirmed infections and nearly 240,000 deaths. Experts say even those dramatic tolls are undercounts.

One doctor in Bengaluru said he's had to reject patients “left, right and center” as his hospital struggled to find more oxygen.

"The problem is the demand is so high that we need constant oxygen," said Dr. Sanjay Gururaj, the medical director at Shanti Hospital and Research Center. The hospital is sending a truck twice a day to oxygen plants on the outskirts of the city to bring back 12 jumbo oxygen cylinders. "In normal times, this would have lasted over two weeks - now, it lasts just over a day," he added.

The state's oxygen shortages prompted the high court on Wednesday to order the federal government to increase the daily liquid medical oxygen supplied to Karnataka. The ruling came after 24 virus patients died in a government hospital on Monday. It's unclear how many of them died due to the lack of oxygen, but an investigation is ongoing.

Modi has so far left the responsibility for fighting the virus in this current surge to poorly equipped state governments, and faced accusations of doing too little. His government has countered that it is doing everything it can amid a "once-in-a-century crisis." Meanwhile, many medical experts, opposition leaders and even Supreme Court judges are calling for national restrictions, arguing that a patchwork of state rules is insufficient to quell the rise in infections.

Experts caution that the surge in Bengaluru is fast eclipsing other hard-hit cities like the capital, New Delhi, and Mumbai. Cases have increased 100-fold since February, said Murad Banaji, a mathematician modeling COVID-19 growth in India, citing official data. The positivity test has jumped to over 30%, which indicates the infection is much more widespread than confirmed figures, he added.

"Disaster was looming by early March, when cases started to shoot up," he said. "Bangalore is more than a ticking time bomb right now - it is in the middle of an explosion." Bengaluru was previously known as Bangalore.

Much of the focus in recent weeks has been on northern India, led by New Delhi, where television stations have broadcast images of patients lying on stretchers outside hospitals and of mass funeral pyres that burn throughout the night.

The situation unfurling in Karnataka has thrown attention to other southern states also battling a rise in cases. Daily cases have breached the 20,000 mark for the past three days in Andhra Pradesh state, leading to new restrictions there.

Kerala, which emerged as a blueprint for tackling the pandemic last year, began a lockdown on Saturday. With daily cases crossing 40,000, the state is aggressively boosting resources, including converting hundreds of industrial oxygen cylinders into medical oxygen, said Dr. Amar Fetle, the state's officer for COVID-19.

"The magnitude of cases from last year to now is vastly different," he said, adding that increasing numbers have meant more hospitalizations and more strain on health care systems, with hospitals running nearly full. “It's become a race between occupancy and how fast we can add beds. We're trying to stay ahead of the virus as best as we can. "

It's clear infections are rapidly rising across the southern region, but there has been “less visible outcry” than in the north because of relatively better health infrastructure and government initiatives that address problems at the community level, said Jacob John, professor of community medicine at Christian Medical College, Vellore.

But while the virus has ripped through large cities in waves, smaller towns and villages where health care is less accessible are now exposed.

“These places are quickly getting affected, which means we may not have sustained the worst yet in south India,” he said.

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Burkina Faso’s army chaplains tested by extremist conflict

 KAYA, Burkina Faso (AP) - In the more than 15 years Salomon Tibiri has been offering spiritual succor as a military pastor in Burkina Faso, he's never fielded so many calls from anxious soldiers and their relatives as in recent years, when the army found itself under attack by Islamic extremist fighters.

“Before the crisis there was more stability,” Tibiri said, seated in a military camp church in the city of Kaya, in the hard-hit Center-North region. "Now (the soldiers) are busier, and when you approach them you feel their stress - much more stress."

Once considered a beacon of peace and religious coexistence in the region, the West African nation has been embroiled in authentic violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State since 2016, throwing an ill-equipped and undertrained army into disarray - and overwhelming the chaplains tasked with supporting them.

In interviews in the Center-North and in Ouagadougou, the capital, military chaplains told The Associated Press that they are stretched thin by the authentic conflict and what assistance they are able to provide through phone calls and prayer services is insufficient.

Just seven chaplains, hailing from Protestant, Catholic and Muslim faiths, are charged with spiritually advising some 11,000 soldiers and helping maintain their morale. The army has not devoted what little resources it has for them to embed with units, and they say the distance only makes it harder to keep soldiers motivated.

The troops “face death every day. … At this moment they also need to have much more spiritual help, ”said Noel Henri Zongo, a chaplain and Catholic priest.

It's crucial work as experts say the psychological effects of conflict like what's occurring in Burkina Faso can be particularly tough on soldiers who are experiencing it in their country for the first time. It can put them at greater risk for post-traumatic stress disorder and also increase the likelihood of them acting in ways to contrast to their moral values.

Last year 524 civilians were killed by soldiers and local defense militias fighting alongside them, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, more than the 432 killed by the extremists. At least 180 bodies were found in mass graves near the government-controlled town of Djibo, with evidence of army involvement in large-scale executions according to Human Rights Watch.

Etienne Bonkoungou, another of the chaplains, said he regularly counsels troops grappling with the question of whether their participation in the fight makes them defenders or killers.

"The Bible says not to kill, so as a soldier these questions often arise," Bonkoungou said. “To kill another, to watch a colleague die (or kill someone yourself), should you kill? Should you not kill? "

To help them reconcile that dilemma, he uses biblical examples of devout people fighting in wars, and advises that "even sometimes God himself orders killing."

Soldier Luc Yelkouni acknowledged that the conflict “impacts our morale.”

A 29-year-old veteran of nearly a decade with the military, he had never before suffered the kind of trauma as in recent years, with one colleague after another killed by the extremists. After a stint in the Sahel, he turned to a military priest for help dealing with an experience from his deployment that was so traumatic he said he didn't want to go into details, even three years later.

Speaking to the priest was reassuring, Yelkouni said.

The chaplains "play a key role for us," he said, "and the collaboration is really good."

While the chaplains did not say what they think the army should do, one said it would be helpful if there were four or five more of them. And they wish they could be physically closer to those deployed for dangerous duty.

"The role of a chaplain is to be present where the men are," Zongo said, "and what he needs to bring is the necessary capacity to face danger and to get up after failure."

The army, whose communications team facilitated the chaplain interviews and sat in on them, did not respond to a request for comment.

But last year, in an acknowledgment that its clergy needed help, it brought in U.S. military chaplains to train their counterparts.

Maj. Mike Smith, lead chaplain with U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, said the Burkina Faso chaplains had never been trained in tasks like caring for the wounded, counseling families, mourning the dead and motivating fighters.

"(The army was) seeing casualties on a regular basis, whether soldiers were being killed in attacks or wounded in attacks," Smith said. "And ... it was tearing at the resiliency of their force, just as a whole, and it even impacted their retention."

With the coronavirus pandemic also affecting operations, the U.S. supplied the Burkina Faso chaplains with iPads that they used to record sermons and broadcast them to the front lines through messaging apps.

How much they are able to lift spirits can have real consequences, with experts saying low morale in the ranks is impacting Burkina Faso's counter-terrorism strategy.

Héni Nsaibia, an analyst with the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project who specializes in the Sahel region that has been the epicenter of the violence, said it appears that volunteer militias have essentially “replaced” the army on the front lines as soldiers prefer to stay in their barracks.

A decision last month to conduct airstrikes and use special forces rather than launch a ground offensive after a deadly ambush in the eastern part of the country is also a likely indication of greater reluctance among regular troops, he added.

Despite the limited resources, soldiers said the chaplains have been a lifeline.

Yempabou Kobori, 30, said one thing that keeps him going is a Bible verse his pastor shared from him from the Book of Psalms, about staying safe even as thousands around you fall. He recites it before the battle.

"It reminds me that I am not alone," Kobori said.

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World reacts as Jerusalem tensions escalate

 More than 200 wounded in Al-Aqsa amid growing anger over Israeli plans to evict Palestinian families from occupied East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah.

More than 200 people, mostly Palestinians, were wounded late on Friday outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem as Israeli police fired rubber-coated metal bullets and stun grenades towards rock-hurling Palestinians.

Tens of thousands of worshippers had earlier packed Islam's third-holiest site on the final Friday of Ramadan and many stayed on to protest against Israeli plans to evict Palestinian families from their homes on land claimed by Jewish settlers in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem.

Palestinians have staged a series of sit-ins in the area in recent days denouncing Israeli orders for them to vacate their homes. Israeli security forces have attacked the sit-ins using skunk water, tear gas, rubber-coated bullets and shock grenades. Dozens of Palestinians have been arrested.

Here is how countries and the international community have so far reacted to the events at Al-Aqsa and Sheikh Jarrah:

United Nations

The UN's rights office urged Israel to call off any forced evictions and warned its actions could amount to “war crimes”.

"We wish to emphasize that East Jerusalem remains part of the occupied Palestinian territory, in which international humanitarian law applies," spokesman Rupert Colville said. "The occupying power ... cannot confiscate private property in occupied territory."

Transferring civilian populations into occupied territory is illegal under international law and "may amount to war crimes", he added.

Qatar

Qatar condemned the Israeli police's “storming” of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the “attack on worshippers”.

In a statement, the foreign ministry said it was a "provocation to the feelings of millions of Muslims around the world, and a severe violation of human rights and international accords".

Qatar urged the international community to work to end “repeated Israeli aggression” against the Palestinians and Al-Aqsa.

It reiterated its support for the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state based on the 1967 borders.

Turkey

Turkey also “strongly condemned” the Israeli forces ”“ attacks ”on Palestinian worshipers and called on the Israeli government“ to put an end to this provocative and aggressive attitude ”.

"Turkey will continue to support the just cause of the Palestinian people," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

European Union

The European Union condemned violence at the compound and urged authorities to quickly calm tensions.

"Violence and incitement are unacceptable and the perpetrators on all sides must be held accountable," a spokesman said in a statement. "The European Union calls on the authorities to act urgently to de-escalate the current tensions in Jerusalem."

The statement added that "acts of incitement around the Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif must be avoided and the status quo has to be respected", using another term for the key religious site.

United States

The United States said it was “deeply concerned” about the events and called on all sides to work to de-escalate them. It also expressed concern about the evidence.

"It's critical to avoid unilateral steps that would exacerbate tensions or take us further away from peace. And that would include evictions, settlement activity, and home demolitions, ”US State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter told reporters in Washington.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia said Israel's plans undermined chances to resume peace talks.

"We reject Israel's plans and measures to evict Palestinian homes in Jerusalem and to impose Israel's sovereignty on them," it said.

Iran

The foreign ministry of Iran called on the UN to condemn the bloody Israeli police action in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, saying it amounted to a "war crime".

Iran "condemns the attack on Al-Aqsa mosque ... by the Quds (Jerusalem) occupier regime's military", foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a statement.

"This war crime once again proved to the world the criminal nature of the illegitimate Zionist regime," he said, adding that Iran called on "the United Nations and other related international institutions to act on their definite duty to confront this war crime".

Egypt

Egypt also denounced Israel's attempt to forcibly evict Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah.

In a statement, the foreign ministry said: "The displacement of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood is a violation of resolutions of international legitimacy and the international humanitarian law."

Kuwait

Kuwait's Foreign Ministry also denounced the Israeli police's actions at Al-Aqsa and held Israeli authorities responsible for any escalation and consequences that may follow the events that took place on Friday night.

Palestinians react as Israeli police fire stun grenades at the compound that houses al-Aqsa Mosque [Ammar Awad / Reuters]

Al-Azhar

Meanwhile, Egypt's Al-Azhar University, the highest seat of Sunni Muslim learning, denounced the assault on worshippers and deemed it a "brutal Zionist terrorism in the light of shameful international silence".

Islamic Union for Muslim Scholars

For its part, the International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) “strongly” condemned the Israeli police's actions.

In a statement, it hailed the Palestinians in Jerusalem for being "persistent in the face of repeated Israeli aggression against the al-Aqsa mosque and the people of Sheikh Jarrah".

IUMS Secretary-General Ali Qaradaghi encouraged the Muslim world to support the Palestinian cause materially and morally, considering such support a religious duty and necessity.

Jordan

Neighboring Jordan, custodian of Islamic sites in Jerusalem, said "Israel's continuation of its illegal practices and provocative steps" in the city is a "dangerous game".

"Building and expanding settlements, confiscating lands, demolishing homes and deporting Palestinians from their homes are illegal practices that perpetuate the occupation and undermine the chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace, which is a regional and international necessity," Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman al -Safadi tweeted.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

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Andrea Bocelli sings ‘Time To Say Goodbye’ (live at The Global Awards 2018)

What are the lyrics to ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ - and do they make any sense?

Sure, it sounds lovely when Bocelli sings it with oodles of Italian authenticity - but how does the song translate when it’s performed in English?

‘Time to Say Goodbye’ was originally released as a single for Andrea Bocelli in 1995, under the title ‘Con te partirò’ (literally ‘I’ll leave with you’).

A year later, soprano Sarah Brightman was added to the mix for a performance marking boxer Henry Maske’s final match. The duet version was recorded with an English title – and sure enough, it was a commercial success.

The slight catch is that when you translate the phrase ‘Con te partirò’ as ‘Time to Say Goodbye’, the song sort of stops making any sense.

Here’s the chorus in English...

Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman duet together

Time to say goodbye

To countries I never

Saw and shared with you

Now, yes, I shall see them

I’ll go with you

Go on ships across seas

Which, I know,

No, no, don’t exist anymore

It’s time to say goodbye.

In summary: they’re saying goodbye to countries they never saw or shared with each other, but now they are in fact going to go to those countries… except they’re travelling there on ships which don’t exist anymore... so it’s time to say goodbye again.

Hmm. Maybe the lyrics are better appreciated in Italian. Here's the beginning of the song:

Quando sono solo

Sogno all'orizzonte

E mancan le parole

Sì lo so che non c'è luce

In una stanza quando manca il sole

Se non ci sei tu con me, con me

Su le finestre

Mostra a tutti il mio cuore

Che hai acceso

Chiudi dentro me

La luce che

Hai incontrato per strada

Time to say goodbye

Paesi che non ho mai

Veduto e vissuto con te

Adesso si li vivrò

Con te partirò

Su navi per mari

Che, io lo so

No, no, non esistono più

It's time to say goodbye

And here's the same section in English:

When I am alone I sit and dream

And when I dream the words are missing

Yes I know that in a room so full of light

That all the light is missing

But I don't see you with me, with me

Close up the windows, bring the sun to my room

Through the door you've opened

Close inside of me the light you see

That you met in the darkness

Time to say goodbye

Horizons are never far

Would I have to find them alone

Without true light of my own with you

I will go on ships over seas

That I now know

No, they don't exist anymore

It's time to say goodbye

Living with Lions: The Story of Daniel

Interpreter of Dreams

Daniel lived in captivity in Babylon along with his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Though they faced pressures to conform to Babylonian society and give up the ways of their people, they stood strong in their faith, and God blessed Daniel with wisdom and the ability to interpret dreams. When he was called before King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel was able to interpret what his dream meant without even hearing it! The dream foretold the future conquering of the Babylonian kingdom. Because of his interpretation of the dream, Daniel was appointed to be ruler of the province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.

Later, King Nebuchadnezzar had another dream where a giant tree was cut down. Daniel interpreted this dream for him, saying it meant that he would be cast out from society until he recognized that it was God who had given him his glory, and not himself. A year later, the dream came to pass, as Daniel 4:30 details:

Nebuchadnezzar was cast out from human society, he ate grass like an ox, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle, and his nails like the claws of a bird.

The Reign of Belshazzar

When Nebuchadnezzar recognized the God of heaven, he was restored to his throne – seven years after he was cast out– and the rest of his reign was blessed. However, he was soon succeeded by his son Belshazzar, who did not respect the Lord. During a wild drunken feast, he and his guests drunk out of the vessels that his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, praising their idols. In response to his dishonorable behavior, a hand appeared and wrote words in an unknown language on the wall. The king was terrified and called Daniel to translate. He told Belshazzar:

“This is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Tekel, and Peres. These words mean: Mene, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it; Tekel, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

Then by order of Belshazzar they clothed Daniel in purple, with a chain of gold around his neck, and proclaimed him third in governing the kingdom. That very night Belshazzar, the Chaldean king, was slain. – Daniel 5:25-30

The Lion’s Den

Daniel in the lions’ den depicted in pewabic tile in the Crypt Church

Darius the Mede succeeded Belshazzar as ruler, and soon saw how competent Daniel was. He considered appointing Daniel over the whole kingdom, which provoked the other ministers and satraps to plot against Daniel. They convinced Darius to pass a law condemning to death anyone who worshiped someone other than himself.

After the proclamation had been signed, Daniel continued his practice of praying to God three times a day, and was caught by the satraps. Darius was greatly saddened when he heard what happened, but he could not reverse the decree. Daniel was put into the lions’ den, but through God’s provision, he survived:

The king rose very early the next morning and hastened to the lions’ den. As he drew near, he cried out to Daniel sorrowfully, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you serve so constantly been able to save you from the lions?” Daniel answered the king: “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me. For I have been found innocent before him; neither have I done you any harm, O king!” This gave the king great joy. At his order Daniel was brought up from the den; he was found to be unharmed because he trusted in his God. The king then ordered the men who had accused Daniel, along with their children and their wives, to be cast into the lions’ den. Before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. – Daniel 6:20-25

Darius declared that God was to be revered and feared because He had preserved Daniel.

What We Can Learn from Daniel

In the Great Upper Church, Daniel is depicted impressing the elders of his time, a parallel to the young Jesus astounding the temple elders in the New Testament

There are many important themes throughout the book of Daniel. First, we see his steadfastness during the time of exile. The nation of Israel was scattered. Daniel was captured and taken to a foreign land, and yet he remained faithful to the God of his people, in spite of the pressure around him to conform to Babylonian culture.

We see Daniel’s faithfulness demonstrated in his commitment to prayer throughout the book of Daniel – both in his daily routine and as he approaches major tasks. Daniel 2:18 describes him asking Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to pray that God would reveal the king’s dream, and Daniel 6:11 tells of his habit of prayer: “Even after Daniel heard that this law had been signed, he continued his custom of going home to kneel in prayer and give thanks to his God in the upper chamber three times a day, with the windows open toward Jerusalem.”

A Demonstration of God’s Providence

Most importantly, the story of Daniel is a story of God’s glory and God’s providence for His people. God constantly demonstrated His glory through Daniel, making His name known among the people of Babylon. He exalted Himself above the rulers of Babylon, revealing the limits of their power. He humbled King Nebuchadnezzar by inhibiting his mental capacity after he reveled in his greatness. He smote Belshazzar, dividing his kingdom in two. In His power, He protected Daniel in the lion’s den ­– when Darius was powerless to do so.

Throughout the whole story of Daniel, God not only provided for Daniel’s needs, but He blessed him with wisdom and knowledge to interpret dreams and help govern the kingdom. He granted him favor with multiple rulers, and preserved his life when others plotted against him. In His providence for Daniel, God brought glory to Himself and showed that He is ultimately in control.

CHANGE IN CUBAN LEADERSHIP DEEMED TYPICAL

Luanda- The retirement of Raúl Castro, who has just stepped down as head of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC), is part of a normal process of transfer to the party leadership, said the Cuban ambassador to Angola, Esther Gloria Armenteros Cárdenas.

The diplomat was speaking to Angop on the Eighth Congress of the Cuban Communist Party (16-19 April).

 

She said that the principles of the Revolution and Socialism are secured by the generation that entail a substitute, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, and other members.

 

Armenteros described the time as important and historic  for her country and fellow countrymen, "adding the process marks the transfer of the leadership of the party from the historical generation to the new ones, born and raised by the Revolution".

 

The Cuban ambassador denied allegations that the transition means a break-up with the past. “On the contrary, she said, we must speak of unity and continuity. Today, our Socialist Revolution remains more alive, active and decisive, despite the attempts by  the enemies to crush it ”.

 

The diplomat confirmed the negative impact of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on her country.

 

She explained that "more than 240 unilateral coercive measures were applied by the United States against Cuba, which cruelly reinforced the economic, commercial and financial blockade, even in an opportunistic way during the pandemic".

COVID-19: ANGOLA REPORTS 392 NEW CASES

Luanda – Angola announced Thursday 392 new cases, 4 deaths and 11 recoveries in the last 24 hours, with Luanda province (320) bearing the brunt of the infections, followed by Cuando Cubango with 42.

The new infections were detected in Luanda with 320, followed by Cuando Cubango with 42.

Also reported new cases Huíla (09), Cabinda (07), Benguela (05), Huambo (03), Namibe (02), Cuanza Sul (02), Malanje (01) and Zaire (01).

The new patients, whose ages range from 20 days to 83 years old, include  224 men and 168 women.

The deaths,   Angolan citizens aged 64, 76 and 83 years of age,  were reported in the provinces of Luanda and Uíge, with 3 and 1 cases, respectively.

Among  the recoveries, five are residents in Luanda, 4 in Huíla and 2 in Huambo.

So far, Angola has  27,921 positive cases,  622 deaths, 24,503 recoveries and 2,796 active patients.

CHAD CONSIDERS ANGOLA "IMPORTANT PARTNER''

Luanda - The Chief of Staff of the President of Chad Transitional Military Council, Abdel Kerim Déby Itno, Thursday considered Angola as an "important partner" of the Sahel country in the region.

Abdel Kerim Déby Itno was speaking to the press in Luanda, after being received in an audience by the Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, to whom he provided information about the political, military and security situation in his country.

The situation in Chad worsened at the end of April following the death of the re-elected president, Idriss Déby Itno, who died from wounds sustained during fighting with the armed opposition in the north of the country.

The son of the former Chadian President added that his country will continue to prioritise bilateral cooperation relations, within the framework of the commitments made by Chad.

Abdel Kerim Déby Itno, who is touring a number of Central African countries said that his trip aims to inform and receive advice from Central African heads of state on events in Chad.

"We want to inform and also to hear advice from African leaders," the Transitional Military Council envoy said.

According to Abdel Kerim Déby Itno, the situation in his country is "critical" and he stressed that the new transitional government appointed by the Military Council is doing everything it can to create the conditions for holding new elections.

The ongoing efforts are aimed at bringing peace and security to Chad, said Abdel Kerim Déby Itno, for whom the transitional government will work to re-establish constitutional legality.

Idriss Déby Itno, then the Chadian Head of State, died a day after being declared the winner of the presidential elections of 11 April last.

CDC Issues Final Guidance to Restart U.S. Cruises

As part of the general effort to re-open America and provide updated guidance reflecting the evolution of the pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued its final two stages of guidance on the steps required to restart cruises from U.S. ports. In a long and detailed process, the CDC mapped out stricter restrictions than are being placed on onshore businesses, but it provided a clear path for cruises to resume from U.S. ports as early as July 2021.

One set of instructions specifically deals with the operation of simulated voyages, which are designed to test the cruise lines’ prepared plans and protocols for everything from check-in and embarkation procedures to revised onboard operations, disembarkation and follow-up medical testing and monitoring for symptoms of the virus. The cruise lines must submit plans at least 30 days in advance of the planned sailing for those simulated voyages; they must carry at least 10 percent of the restricted passenger capacity of the ship, and they must limit the passengers to volunteers who understand that they are testing unproven processes. All the passengers need to be age 18 or older, agree to pre-and post-cruise testing, tracing, and report any symptoms or exposure to the virus.

“Cruise ship operators now have all the necessary requirements and recommendations they need to start simulated voyages before resuming restricted passenger voyages,” the CDC said in announcing the release of the technical instructions. “In the final phase of the CSO (Conditional Sailing Order issued in October 2020), cruise ship operators with an approved COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate application will be permitted to sail with passengers following the requirements of the CSO. CDC does not anticipate releasing any additional documents.”

The CDC is permitting cruise lines to skip the simulated voyages if they attest to having 98 percent of their crew fully vaccinated and limit passengers to 95 percent being verified as fully vaccinated. The ship must still prepare the same plans and protocols to be reviewed by the CDC before they are permitted to begin sailing.

Both passengers and crew will also find a very different onboard experience with strong limitations versus the pre-pandemic cruise operations. The CDC provides a long list of rules impacting nearly every aspect of the cruise and retains the right to conduct inspections of the cruise ship without prior notice.

The CDC is requiring social distancing practices aboard the ships ranging from rearranging or blocking seating or limiting capacity in venues or operating by reservation only. All around the ship passenger flow should be managed and restricted, including even possibly using separate up and down staircases, limiting elevator capacity, and congregation points to limit crowds. From the outdoor pool area to entertainment venues, and service areas such as gyms and the spa, passengers need to remain distanced. All public spaces on the ship, including the outdoor pool and water park areas, also require the use of face coverings along with instructions for the passengers on hygiene and practices limiting the spread of the virus.

Food service also faces restrictions starting with the mandatory elimination of all self-service food and beverage locations. Seating must also be spaced and limited, masks only removed for limited periods, and where possible reduce or eliminate passenger-crew interaction. The CDC also recommends alternative meal service options such as prepackaged grab-and-go-meal for consumption on deck or in individual cabins, as well as encouraging outdoor dining or in-room passenger meal service, or possibly order ahead to limit time spent in restaurants.

Shore operations are also limited with passengers being restricted to excursions operated by the cruise line and no independent or self-guided touring. There should be no interaction of passengers between cruise ships on shore, limiting one cruise ship at a time to the cruise line’s private destinations and the use of face masks and social distancing on the private islands.

The rules also repeat many of the requirements for alternations to the ships such as increasing outdoor airflow in HVAC systems and filters. They instruct the cruise lines were practical to open doors and windows to increase the fresh air flow as well. Medical facilities also need to be enhanced and protocols practiced for the isolation of passengers and crew showing symptoms of the virus.

Even with its litany of restrictions, the announcement of the next phases for resuming cruises warns, “CDC acknowledges that it is not possible for cruising to be a zero-risk activity for the spread of COVID-19. While cruising will always pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission, CDC is committed to ensuring that cruise ship passenger operations are conducted in a way that protects crew members, passengers, and port personnel, particularly with emerging COVID-19 variants of concern.”

The steps released today are also in addition to the prior restrictions the CDC announced that – among other elements – limit cruises to seven days or less and restrict crew movement between ships. They advise that they will continue to update the guidance and recommendations based on the best scientific evidence available.

While the cruise industry welcomed the long-awaited details from the CDC required to restart operations, no statements were issued immediately as the industry reviewed the extensive details provided in today’s releases from the CDC.

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