Judge rules in favor of Florida's challenge over federal COVID rules for cruise ships

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge on June 18 ruled for Florida in the state’s lawsuit challenging a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pandemic order imposing standards before cruise ships can resume sailing.

U.S. District Court Judge Steven Merryday wrote in a 124-page decision that Florida would be harmed if the CDC order — which the state said effectively blocked most cruises — were to continue.

The CDC order said ship operators can choose between running a test cruise to show they can effectively stop the spread of COVID-19 on board the vessels, or require that 95% o...