Vessel clearance at Miami-Dade County's Seaport Department explained

MSC Meraviglia disembarked passengers on Sunday, March 15, 2020, upon clearance from federal authorities. 

MSC reported that the Public Health Agency of Canada informed the line on March 12, that a guest of Canadian nationality who had previously cruised on the MSC Meraviglia from March 1 to 8 tested positive for COVID-19. 

On March 12, four days after the passenger disembarked, the line, upon learning about the former guest’s diagnosis, immediately consulted the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and followed all protocols and guidance received.

MSC proactively informed guests on board the March 8 to 15 cruise, as well as those who were on the March 1 to 8 cruise.

PortMiami does not have jurisdiction over vessel clearance. All ship clearance is at a federal level. The protocol requires for vessels to self-report to the CDC, Customs and Border Protection and the United States Coast Guard specified medical concerns and to await guidance from these agencies. This includes reporting flu-like symptoms or symptoms that resemble COVID-19. All medical information was relayed to the agencies and subsequently the vessel was cleared to enter PortMiami. 

Miami-Dade County’s Seaport Department does not process and clear vessels to berth at our facilities.