Twenty-six crew members and one passenger on board a Carnival Cruise Line ship have tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated.
The Belize Tourism Board announced on Wednesday that the Central American country received the Carnival Vista cruise carrying almost 3,000 passengers, 96.5% of whom are vaccinated, and more than 1,400 crew members, 99.98% of whom are vaccinated.
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The board revealed the crew members who tested positive are in isolation and that the cruise has found no other positive cases. In addition, the cruise will now implement increased mask wearing for indoor settings and that all guests, including vaccinated ones, will need to present a negative rapid test, potentially as soon as the next departure. Guests are still allowed to disembark.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it has investigated the situation and will continue to observe the ship during its travels.
“After a thorough review of the situation, and after determining that the risk is low, including the fact that CDC is aware of the situation, it was concluded that the situation is contained, and safety protocols are proving effective,” the board said in a Wednesday statement.
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Carnival has announced new precautions that will go into effect on Aug. 14 for vaccinated cruises. These precautions include getting vaccinated 14 days prior to departure and presenting a negative COVID-19 test taken three days prior to departure. Unvaccinated guests will still be accepted under certain exemptions.
