Disney Cruise Line to require passengers 5 and up to be vaccinated for COVID-19

Disney Cruise Line updated its policy for guests on Wednesday, mandating that all passengers 5 and older must be vaccinated against COVID-19.

>> Read more trending news

The vaccine mandate will go into effect on Jan. 13, WFTV reported. It will apply to cruises both in the U.S. and abroad, according to The New York Times.

Until the mandate goes into effect, unvaccinated passengers between the ages of 5 and 11 must take a COVID-19 test before departing, the newspaper reported.

The new requirement comes after Pfizer-BioNTech’s pediatric vaccine was approved by federal regulators, the Times reported.

Disney Cruise Line already requires vaccine-eligible guests to be fully vaccinated, WFTV reported. Guests who are not vaccine-eligible because of their age (4 and under) must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, taken between 24 hours and three days before departure, the television station reported.

In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, Disney Cruise Line accepts eight different vaccines, People reported. They are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Covishield, Novavax, Sinopharm and Sinovac.

The policy change goes into effect shortly before the new Disney Wish ship sets sail in June 2022 from Port Canaveral, Florida, People reported. Disney Cruise Line resumed cruises on Oct. 28 after shutting down in March 2020 because of the pandemic.

More coronavirus pandemic coverage:

>> Coronavirus: How long between exposure to the virus and the start of symptoms?

>> What are your chances of coming into contact with someone who has COVID-19? This tool will tell you

>> How to not let coronavirus pandemic fatigue set in, battle back if it does

©2021 Cox Media Group