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News about coronavirus in Florida and around the world is constantly emerging. It's hard to stay on top of it all but Health News Florida can help. Our responsibility is to keep you informed, and to help discern what’s important for your family as you make what could be life-saving decisions.

Judge's Decision In Florida-CDC Cruise Case Expected 'Soon'

Carnival cruise ship
Carnival Cruise Lines
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

During the hearing, the judge chided the state for issuing a comment that mediation efforts had reached an “impasse” when they had not.

A U.S. federal judge said he expects to make a decision “soon” after hearing arguments Thursday in Florida’s challenge to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s conditional sailing orders for cruise lines.

The state is suing the federal agency over the orders and is seeking a preliminary injunction lifting the CDC’s COVID-19 restrictions on cruise ships sailing from Florida ports. The industry, vital to Florida’s economy, has been shut down since March 2020 due to the pandemic.

Federal attorneys say an injunction isn't necessary because cruises are on track to resume voyages this summer through the conditional order.

The CDC has approved several cruise line requests for simulated voyages that involve testing ship operators’ ability to mitigate risks of the virus. Many revenue cruises have already been scheduled.

Another option for cruise lines is to require 95 percent of passengers be vaccinated against COVID. That has become an issue with a state order and signed legislation to ban businesses - including cruise companies - from requiring passengers to show proof of vaccination against COVID.

The state claims the CDC restrictions are overreaching and causing damage to the economy. And it says the test cruises are an expensive burden for the cruise lines and ports.

Judge Steven Merryday had sent both sides to mediation before Thursday’s hearing. During the session, he chided the state for issuing a comment that those talks had reached an “impasse” when it had not. Merryday warned that the mediation was confidential and promised to investigate further leaks. State attorneys said the issue was a misunderstanding.

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.