Royal Caribbean Cruises has announced that it will lay off or furlough about 26 percent of its workforce in the United States, affecting nearly 1,300 of  its more than 5,000 employees in the country, as the coronavirus chokes international travel.

The news comes as the fast-spreading pandemic led to the extension of  the no sail order for all cruise ships by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, as it looks to curb the spread of the virus.

A Royal Caribbean spokesman said the majority were layoffs.

He did not specify the percentage of  furlough and layoffs.

The Miami Herald reported the news yesterday adding that most of the reductions are permanent layoffs, although some were 90-day furloughs with paid benefits.

http://rjrnewsonline.com/business/royal-caribbean-to-lay-off-26-of-us-workforce