"Failure to follow health protocols and disobeying restrictive measures imposed by the authorities constitute infractions that, if confirmed, will result in fines and the suspension of activities," the federal health regulator, Anvisa, said in a statement.
Brazil allowed cruises to resume in November, but ordered companies to implement strict protocols against Covid-19, including testing passengers and quarantining them in case of infection. The crackdown comes after Covid-19 outbreaks erupted on the Costa Diadema and two other ships off the Brazilian coast at New Year's.
Health authorities also suspended the operations of the Costa Diadema and a second MSC ship, the Splendida, after they, too, reported dozens of Covid-19 cases on board.