WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott released the below statement following news that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued updated guidance allowing the cruise industry to resume sailing out of U.S. ports by July 2021. The CDC’s action follows repeated calls from Senator Scott for the CDC to immediately issue clear guidance for the resumption of operations for the cruise industry. Earlier this month, Senators Scott and Senators Marco Rubio and Dan Sullivan introduced the Careful Resumption Under Improved Safety Enhancements (CRUISE) Act to revoke the CDC’s current No Sail Order on cruises and require the CDC to provide COVID-19 mitigation guidance for cruise lines to resume safe domestic operations. 

Last year, Senator Scott also introduced the Set Sail Safely Act, which would establish a Maritime Task Force, in coordination with a Private Sector Advisory Committee, to address the health, safety, security, and logistical changes needed to allow for cruise lines and ports to resume operations.

Senator Rick Scott said, “For months, America’s cruise lines have waited for guidance and the opportunity to reopen while so many other industries were able to restart safely. I am glad that the CDC has finally answered my calls to get things moving in the right direction so our cruise industry can get back to work. Florida is a tourism state with thousands of jobs relying on the success of our ports, cruise lines and maritime industries. This new guidance from the CDC is a welcome change in course that will provide desperately needed clarity for so many employers and families in Florida and across the nation. However, I will not let up. The CDC has treated America’s cruise industry terribly over the past year and I will continue my fight to hold the CDC accountable and make sure we reach a quick and equitable solution that keeps people safe and protects jobs in Florida and across the nation.”

###