Royal Caribbean bans guests ages 70+ in response to coronavirus

In an official statement posted to their blog on Thursday, Royal Caribbean International disclosed an updated policy regarding its approach for precautionary measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Royal Caribbean has updated its coronavirus protocols effective Monday, March 16,” the statement reads.

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For those passengers aged 70 or older who still wish to board a vessel, they must have a letter filled out by a “qualified treating physician that certifies the person has no severe, chronic medical condition and is fit to travel.”

Boarding will also be refused to any individual with a pre-existing or chronic medical condition, “including those specified by the CDC.”

All guests of every age group will receive prior screening before boarding, regarding any underlying health conditions that may prevent them from being able to embark. Such conditions include diabetes, chronic heart, lung, liver, or kidney diseases, cancer, or HIV/AIDS.

This screening process includes mandatory temperature screenings as well as denial of embarkation to any passengers that have visited mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, Europe, Iran, or South Korea 15-20 days before boarding.

As well, Royal Caribbean has also enacted additional precautionary measures, including medical treatment, isolated quarantine for sick people from the general passenger popular, and increased cleaning practices, sanitization methods, and air filtration.