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Carnival Cruises has reintroduced mandatory mask wearing onboard its ships after a recent spike in COVID-19 cases.
Months after the mandate was scrapped for guests, cruise management said in a statement that "out of an abundance of caution" the health measure would return to "adapt to the evolving public health situation".
Masks are now required onboard in all public indoor spaces, outdoors when in large groups where physical distancing cannot be secured and also during the entire embarkation and debarkation process.
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They are not required when eating or drinking however.
"Our dedication to the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit is reflected in our Have Fun. Be Safe. protocols and procedures, which were developed in consultation with our medical experts and have proven effective and adaptable to the evolving public health situation," a statement from Carnival Cruises said.
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"In line with government protocols, until further notice, we will operate vaccinated cruises with our enhanced protocols. All our operations will follow these guidelines so we can maintain the confidence of the destinations we visit and deliver on our itineraries and guest experience.
"Out of an abundance of caution, for the time being, masks are required."
The come after weeks of skyrocketing COVID-19 cases across the country and in the midst of Australia's "fourth wave".
It's believed mandatory mask wearing was scrapped for guests in February, and for staff just last month.
Guests are still required to be fully vaccinated to board.
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Source: 9News
