Florida ban on ‘vaccine passports’ won’t exempt cruise ships

• A new Florida law will impose a $5,000 fine for each customer asked to provide proof of coronavirus vaccination.
• Gov. Ron DeSantis said that this ban on “vaccine passports” will not exempt cruise lines, which have recently been approved to set sail again.
• Cruise ships are only allowed to embark on a voyage if the passengers and crew are vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Florida’s ban on “vaccine passports” will include cruise lines, Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters on Friday.

Several major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean Group subsidiary Celebrity Cruises, have received federal approval to resume its trips from Florida ports next month — provided that 100% of crew members and 95% of passengers have been vaccinated.

But the Florida law will impose a $5,000 fine for each customer asked to provide vaccination proof. This new law will take effect on July 1.

DeSantis told reporters at the LifeScience Logistics Distribution Center in Lakeland, “We have laws that protect the people and the privacy of our citizens, and we are going to enforce it. In fact, I have no choice but to enforce it.”

The governor pointed out that the state has provided vaccines for several workers of the cruise industry.

“Nobody has fought harder, not just for cruises, but the entire leisure and hospitality sector in this state in its history than me,” he added.

The “passport” bill was first signed into law by DeSantis on May 3.

Florida also legally challenged the cruise restrictions. State and federal attorneys have until Tuesday, according to U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday, to settle the lawsuit. Lawyers from both sides held a settlement conference on Thursday and will be meeting again on Tuesday.

According to DeSantis, the mediation process is already ongoing.

The governor said on Friday, “You know, maybe there will be a resolution. My view is, ultimately, we wanted to vindicate the state’s immediate interest with this. But there is a larger point, and I am confident we will win the case.”

Source: Orlando Sentinel