Cruise ship passengers were having their temperatures checked and taking Covid-19 tests on Sunday so they could set sail on what is being billed as the first Mediterranean cruise after Italy's pandemic lockdown. The cruise ship company MSC has made the procedures, for crew as well as passengers, part of its new health and safety protocols. Earlier this month, the Italian government gave its approval for cruise ships to once again depart from Italy’s ports. But cruise ships are being limited to 70 per cent capacity. An estimated 12 million cruise ship passengers arrived or departed from Italian ports last year or made port calls in Italy during their trip, according to industry figures.

Source: Stuff August 16, 2020 19:18 UTC