WASHINGTON, July 24 ― A federal appeals court late yesterday reversed course and let stand a lower court order prohibiting the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from enforcing coronavirus-related cruise ship restrictions in Florida.
A spokeswoman for Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said the state is pleased the appeals court has lifted “the prior order allowing the preliminary junction to be in place.” The appeals court ruling came soon after the state of Florida had filed an emergency petition with the Supreme Court asking the high court to lift the appeals court order, warning that without action the state was “all but guaranteed to lose yet another summer cruise season while the CDC pursues its appeal,” the state said in its filing to the Supreme Court.
CDC's conditional sail order said cruise lines that ensured at least 95% of passengers and nearly all crew were vaccinated could bypass simulated voyages and move more quickly to resuming commercial trips.