DISNEY CRUISES TO REQUIRE VAX FOR KIDS

Disney Cruise Line will require all passengers ages five and up to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before setting sail starting early next year, the company has announced. In a statement posted on its website last week, Disney said the new rules will begin on Jan. 13. On Friday, the Canadian government approved vaccinations for children ages five to 11.

The cruise line currently requires anyone 12 and older who is vaccine-eligible to be vaccinated, while passengers who are not vaccine-eligible must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken between three days and 24 hours before the ship sails.

As of Jan. 13, younger children who are not eligible for the vaccine must complete testing requirements, which must be a NAAT test, rapid PCR test, or lab-based PCR test, the company said. Rapid antigen tests are not acceptable options, it added.

Disney’s vaccine requirement runs against a Florida law that would fine companies for mandating vaccines. Norwegian Cruise Line’s parent company has sued over the law and won an injunction against the state for enforcing it. The state has appealed the decision.