Cruises in Florida will maintain their CDC-mandated rules.

In March of last year, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention formally halted all US-based and bound cruise lines due to the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that initial shutdown, cruises have been permitted to resume operation, albeit with a list of stringent rules and requirements to ensure the least possible chance of coronavirus transmission among crew and passengers. However, last month Florida Governor Ron DeSantis filed a lawsuit against the CDC, complaining that the requirements were too restrictive and that the CDC’s orders exceed their authority, a case that a district judge awarded to DeSantis.

“The equities overwhelmingly favor allowing the cruise industry to enjoy its first summer season in two years while this court sorts out the CDC’s contentions on appeal,” Florida’s lawyers argued.

The CDC fired back by escalating the case to an appeals court, the US 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to be specific, which over the weekend blocked the district judge’s ruling with a 2-1 vote. This overrides the preliminary injunction granted to Florida that would allow cruises operating on its shores to ignore CDC regulations and recommendations.

“The undisputed evidence shows that unregulated cruise ship operations would exacerbate the spread of COVID-19, and that the harm to the public that would result from such operations cannot be undone,” the CDC said in its court filing.