Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announces lawsuit against CDC, federal government demanding cruises be able to sail

MIAMI — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a lawsuit against the federal government and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demanding that cruise ships be able to sail from U.S. ports.

The CDC currently has a “conditional sail order” in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

READ: “Cruise industry essential to state’s economy” DeSantis calls CDC to lift cruise line restrictions

DeSantis threatened legal action in recent weeks if the order wasn’t lifted, and followed through announcing the lawsuit in a news conference in Miami on Thursday.

Cruise companies have furloughed a good portion of their workforce, and supplies are sitting in warehouses.

READ: New CDC guidance brings local cruise ship travelers one step closer to setting sail

DeSantis said the order preventing cruises has cost many Floridians their jobs and continues to negatively impact the state’s economy.

Stay tuned to Action News Jax for updates on this developing story.

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