Asian cruise company Dream Cruises has announced that it will launch cruises around Taiwan in July, despite the COVID-19 pandemic raging on.
Health screenings will be carried out on customers before they're allowed onboard and social distancing rules will be among the safety measures the company says it'll undertake.
Dream Cruises says it'll be the first cruise company in the world to begin sailing after the pandemic shut down the global industry.
The restart will begin with two and three-night Taiwan Island-Hopping itineraries on the Explorer Dream starting July 26.
"After months of detailed planning with the authorities to ensure the safety and health of guests and crew, we appreciate the approval of Explorer Dream resuming cruise operations in Taiwan," says Tan Sri KT Lim, CEO and chairman of parent company Genting Hong Kong.
Taiwan currently has five active cases of COVID-19 and a total of 447 that have resulted in seven deaths so far.
Dream Cruises says its health and safety practices will include: "Stringent health screening processes and guidelines prior to embarkation, disembarkation and social distancing measures onboard, as well as thorough sanitisation and disinfection and enhanced hygiene practices for guest cabins and crew member quarters, public areas and recreational facilities, along with safe food and beverage handling procedures".
The cruise ships will have "100 percent external fresh air" filtered and supplied to each cabin and public area, the company says, adding that there are also isolation wards in the onboard medical centre.
