An appeal court decided in Florida’s favor in a case against the CDC, finding that the agency exceeded its jurisdiction.
Judge Steven Merryday ruled on July 18 that the CDC is preliminarily barred from implementing its conditional sail order — a set of rules for cruise lines wanting to resume sailing in the United States, including test voyages and vaccination requirements.
According to the court decision, Florida is “very likely” to win on the merits of its argument that the Centers for CDC’s conditional sailing order and implementing orders reach the power granted to CDC.
Merryday said that the CDC has until July 2 to submit new cruise rules that allow cruise ships to depart on schedule while staying within the CDC’s jurisdiction.
According to the ruling, Florida almost confirms that many, if not all, cruise ships would be unable to sail for the whole of the summer season. And with each passing day that the cruise industry remains uncertain about when cruises will resume, Florida not only suffers a tangible economic loss due to decreased earnings and rising unemployment spending but also faces the extremely frightening and impending prospect of the cruise industry leaving the state.
The case started when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis filed a lawsuit against the government in April in an effort to restore cruising, which is a significant source of revenue for the state since it is home to numerous cruise lines.
DeSantis said in one of his statements that the CDC has been incorrect all along, and they knew it. This win for Florida families, the cruise industry, and any state that wishes to protect its rights in the face of unparalleled government authority is secured today. He also thanked everyone for their support.
Since March 2020, cruises with more than 250 passengers have been banned in U.S. territorial waters. In the intervening period, the Celebrity Edge, which is due to leave from Florida on June 26th, is the first cruise ship to set sail from the American seas since the incident occurred.
