Measures against COVID-19 infections when accepting cruise ships

In accepting cruise ships, Yokohama Port is working with shipping companies and related parties to combat COVID-19 as follows.

On September 18, 2020, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism published "Examination and Interim Report on Ensuring Safety and Security of Cruises", "Guidelines on Countermeasures against Infectious Diseases in Cruise Ships and Accepting Ports", and the Japan Overseas Passenger Ship Association (JOPA) published industry guidelines.
In addition to complying with these guidelines, Yokohama City has decided to confirm measures against infectious diseases such as "PCR inspection of all passengers before boarding", "Deployment of a virus inspection system on board" and "Arrangement of accommodation facilities and means of transportation in the event of onboard infection" for domestic cruise ships calling at Yokohama Port for the time being.
On November 15, 2022, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced that it would resume accepting international cruises, and the industry guidelines for international cruise operation were published. In December, Nippon Maru departed for the first time in about three years in Japan, and international cruises by foreign ships resumed in March 2023.
Subsequently, on May 8, the status of COVID-19 under the Infectious Diseases Control Law was changed from Class 2 infectious disease to Class 5 infectious disease, and industry guidelines were abolished or revised in principle.

Currently, shipping companies are taking voluntary measures to prevent infection onboard vessels based on the Japan International Cruises Council (JICC) Guidelines for Preventing the Spread of Infections for the Operation of International Cruises. In addition, at passenger terminals, etc., we are working on basic infection control measures, such as by placing disinfection at boarding entrances.
We will continue to accept safe, secure and smooth cruise ships, which will lead to the creation of bustle in the coastal area of the city and the revitalization of the city's economy through tourism.

Guidelines for infectious disease control at cruise ships and host ports supervised by the government
"Guidelines for Preventing the Spread of Infections for the Operation of International Cruises" Japan International Cruise Council (JICC)

jicc_guidelines 3.pdf (wave.or.jp) (external site)

Due to the need to create an environment where you can enjoy international cruises with peace of mind, we have revised the guidelines based on the change in the position of COVID-19 infection under the Infectious Diseases Law.