After the coronavirus outbreak on one of Hurtigruten's cruise ships, other Norwegian shipping companies are now tightening onboard procedures to prevent infection.
No radical measures are being introduced. Fjord Line requires face masks for employees with customer contact, something it has started doing since authorities in Denmark have required face masks on means of transport with many people.
”"We are doing this to create security on the journey and send a signal to take the situation very seriously," says Fjord Line's CEO Richard Ternblom to Fædrelandsvennen.
DFDS, which operates the Oslo-Copenhagen route, recommends wearing face masks when on board.
”"One experience we have gained is that it is difficult to maintain the necessary distance when boarding and disembarking. Therefore, we recommend that passengers use face masks in those situations," says communications manager Gert Jakobsen to NRK.
Color Line is also tightening its procedures and introducing stricter quarantine rules for artists and others who provide entertainment on board. If they come from a "red" country with a high rate of infection, they must spend ten days in quarantine before boarding. According to CEO Helge Otto Mathisen, there are around 50 people covered by the new rules.
Source: TT
