Editorial | Calmer waters for the return of Hong Kong cruise ships
- As long as health procedures are followed and anti-Covid measures taken, Royal Caribbean should be allowed to resume its ‘cruises to nowhere’ from the city
The cruise industry is sailing in troubled waters. Many operators are struggling to stay afloat in business after the fluctuating global pandemic forced ports to shut down.
Thankfully, more countries have reopened for tourism recently, giving the ailing sector and its 1.8 million employees worldwide a much-needed lifeline. Hong Kong is stubbornly resisting full relaxation of its Covid restrictions.
This is partly due to a lingering fifth wave of infections that still sees thousands of new cases each day. It was only recently that hotel quarantine for arrivals was shortened to three nights, followed by four days of restricted entry to high-risk premises.
The cautious approach may help prevent wider transmissions, but is also hindering businesses and the pace of economic recovery.
The attempt by Royal Caribbean International to resume “cruises to nowhere” is worthy of consideration by the authorities. The operator is said to have submitted detailed proposals, covering sanitation standards, social-distancing measures, contact-tracing and medical facilities on board.
