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An investigation by the Guardian has found that cruise ship employees are still trapped on ships around the world. The members are effectively stuck on the ship, many quarantined inside tiny cabins because they are shut out of ports and not allowed to fly home.

Many ships are floating off ports around the world. Guidelines put out by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which says cruise lines must provide non-commercial transporation for crewmembers, which ship companies say is too expensive. Many employees are stuck in a limbo situation while cruise lines determine the best course of action for getting crewmembers off ships, while maintaining health requirements.

Ryan Driscoll, a crewmember from Seabourne Cruise Line told NBC News of the situation, “It’s been very strange. We call it the twilight zone. Everyone’s got cabin fever. We’ve been confined to our cabins now for two weeks.” He’s been at sea since February 23. “We’re all very frustrated. [We] want to get home, see our families. Especially when every day you’re looking out your window and you see land 200 yards away knowing I can leave but I’m not allowed off the ship,” he said.

The Guardian reports that MSC Cruise Line employee reported that the company has stopped paying employees while they’re stuck on board. “MSC Cruises has taken the difficult decision to temporarily suspend its cruise ship operations. As this health crisis has caused all our ships globally to stop operating, we have temporarily agreed to relieve the majority of our crew from their duties and are working to identify and pay for flight tickets for each and every one to safely return home for the duration of the temporary suspension of ships’ operations. We are offering all those who remain on board full board and lodging free of charge, assigning each of them a guest cabin for individual use. We’ve upgraded our menus, and are providing complimentary internet,” an MSC spokesperson told the Guardian.

Read more about protecting yourself from coronavirus. Check the CDC website for more information on how to protect yourself and check our latest article to learn how COVID-19 differs from the flu.

Scientists believe that the spread of COVID-19, or coronavirus, started at an exotic animal market in Wuhan, China. You can help stop the incidence of viruses like these by signing this petition to ban the wildlife trade.

This is a good time to reconsider our intake of animal products to stay healthy. Eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

Interested in joining the dairy-free and meatless train? We highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Catch up on our latest coronavirus coverage in One Green Planet, check out these articles:

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