Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Federal Judge OKs Cruises From Florida From July 18, Overruling CDC
A federal judge ruled Friday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's conditional sailing orders on the cruise industry "likely constitutes an unconstitutional delegation of legislative power to CDC." In a motion for a preliminary injunction, the state of Florida alleged that the CDC's order exceeds the agency's authority and that it was was "arbitrary and capricious" in issuing the conditional sailing order. The state claimed the CDC failed to recognize the prevalence of vaccines and the effectiveness of Covid-19 mitigation measures. (Lynch and Beneveniste, 6/19)
U.S. District Judge Stephen Merryday granted a preliminary injunction Friday, meaning the CDC cannot enforce its guidance for ships departing or arriving at a Florida port pending further legal action on a broader Florida lawsuit. ... However, the injunction has been stayed until July 18. At that point, the CDC's orders will become "recommendations," similar to "guidelines" the agency offered other industries like airlines, hotels, sports venues and public transportation.(Schreiner, 6/18)
Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom of the Seas left PortMiami on Sunday night on the cruise company’s first simulated cruise to test its COVID-19 health and safety protocols. The ship left Miami about 7 p.m. with a fully vaccinated crew and about 600 volunteer employee passengers. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had issued a conditional sailing requirements for cruise lines to resume revenue sailings. Options were for ships to execute a test voyage or mandate that 95 percent of the passengers were vaccinated against COVID-19. (6/21)
The United States has extended Covid-19 restrictions on non-essential travel at land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico until July 21, according to a tweet from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Sunday. "To reduce the spread of #COVID19, the United States is extending restrictions on non-essential travel at our land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico through July 21, while ensuring access for essential trade & travel," DHS wrote. (Rose, 6/20)
U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least July 21, the U.S. Homeland Security Department said on Sunday. The 30-day extension came after Canada announced its own extension on Friday of the requirements that were set to expire on Monday and have been in place since March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Shepardson, 6/20)
