Port Canaveral in Florida became the first port to begin distributing COVID-19 immunizations, authorities reported.

Group individuals and port workers had the option to get vaccinated on Friday, and port authorities said up to 1,000 shots could be given each day through the new inoculation model. The effort could assist cruise ships departures from the sunshine state and comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported operators could continue cruising by mid-July.

“This expanded eligibility is significantly important for our cruise tourism business, and we’re proud of our efforts to help get this industry up and running,” Capt. John Murray, Port CEO, said in a statement.

The immunization distribution at Port Canaveral was affirmed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida’s Surgeon General Scott A. Rivkees who expanded antibody qualification to people in Florida giving merchandise or services to occupants and tourists. Port Canaveral has been working intimately with cruise partners, the Florida Department of Health, and the port community to make a plan and timeline of immunizing cruise ship groups that could help operators continue securely, Murray said.

A week ago, the CDC told cruise industry members travelers will once again be able to set sail by mid-July if operators can show that 98% of group individuals and 95% of explorers are completely immunized, among different rules.