CSA initiates regional discussion

Regional protocol urged for dealing

with 'swine flu' in cruise industry

Landmark meeting held in Bridgetown

2009, August 12: The need for a regional policy and protocol for dealing with the H1N1 virus was discussed recently at a special meeting held in Barbados involving a number of regional and hemispheric organizations, including the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) which spearheaded the initiative.

The CSA supports the establishment of a regional policy in response to the H1N1 virus as a situation has developed in the Caribbean region in which cruise ships have been turned away from some ports and allowed to berth in other ports. There is no single policy and therefore no standard response across the region to this global pandemic as it relates to the cruise industry.

Since it was discovered in humans in March 2009 and declared a Level 6 global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on June 11, the H1N1 influenza strain, popularly termed ‘swine flu’ has been the subject of news reports in almost every country, causing widespread fear. Over 170,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1 have been officially reported to the WHO and over 1,400 deaths have been linked to the virus.

 The meeting, held in Bridgetown on July 31, brought together the major cruise lines represented by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Steve Collins and Federico Gonzalez-Denton represented Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association ( FCCA).

Nathan Dundas (right) represented the CSA.

Also in attendance were senior doctors from the cruise lines based in Miami, Florida. Regional interests were represented by Caricom and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), as well as the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of a number of Caricom countries.

The CSA was represented by the Vice Chairman of its Cruise Committee and President of the Antigua and Barbuda Cruise Tourism Association (ABCTA) Nathan Dundas, who was instrumental in setting up the Bridgetown meeting. Mr. Dundas was delegated to speak on behalf of the CSA as neither President Fernando Rivera nor CSA General Manager Clive Forbes could attend, due to the very short notice.

The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Rudolph Cumming of the Caricom secretariat & Dr. Bernadette Gandi of PAHO. Dr. Gandi stressed the need for regional standardization of a protocol and policy in dealing with the H1N1 virus across the Caribbean and for a balancing between the health concerns and the importance of the cruise industry to the region.

Co-chairs: Dr. Cumming and Dr. Gandi

Dr. Cummings shared the same views stating that the purpose of the meeting was to find a way forward which would benefit all concerned - both the citizens of the Caricom countries and the cruise lines. There was an urgent need to arrive at a clear understanding of procedures to be followed in a standardized manner across the region.

REVEALING PRESENTATIONS

The cruise lines made two revealing presentations which dealt with their operations prior to passenger boarding and also on board the ships. The presentations addressed the thoroughness employed in limiting and controlling the spread of the virus whenever detected on board the ships. They showed the medical and preventive procedure and protocols as laid out by local authorities and also by the Center for Disease control (CDC).

There were vibrant, positive discussions between the cruise lines and the CMOs as all interests worked to find a strategy for defining a protocol that would be effective for all stakeholders. The discussions ended on a positive note with planned follow up action that will see regional stakeholders meeting in the near future with a much wider group of interested groups and organizations as well as other CMOs. The plan is to develop a protocol that will be used as a standard document across the region.

Mr. Dundas acknowledged the assistance from Dr. Rhonda Sealy Thomas of Antigua and Barbuda, Dr. Rudolph Cummings from Caricom and Dr. Gandi from PAHO, Barbados in arranging the meeting and expressed the CSA’s satisfaction that the region would be getting a standard protocol that all the cruise destinations could apply in dealing with the H1N1 virus as it affects the cruise industry.

A MODEL FOR OTHER REGIONS

He noted that meeting was timely as the winter cruise season would be commencing shortly with some ports receiving as many as 15 ships each week. Without a clear policy across the region there would have been unnecessary delays and, possibly, disastrous consequences for this vital industry, Mr. Dundas stated. The finished document, he said, will provide a model for other regions outside of the Caribbean for dealing with the cruise lines and it was fitting that the Caribbean is taking the lead since the region is the world’s leading cruise destination.

The CSA will be working with its regional counterparts in Caricom and the CTO to ensure that the cruise industry continues to benefit the stakeholders in the region, Mr. Dundas said.

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