Texas Gov. Greg orderAbbott issued an executive late Monday that prohibits any entity in the state (including private businesses) from requiring mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for customers or employees. However, the order appears to apply only to this vaccine and not to others that Texans need, such as the seven vaccines that are required for children to attend school.
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With this decision, Greg Abbott comes into direct conflict with US President Joe Biden, who recently announced that all employees in companies with at least 100 people will need to be vaccinated soon.
Only 51.9% of Texas residents are vaccinated against COVID-19, and cases continue to rise at an alarming rate. About 241 people in Texas die from the virus every day.
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said he supports COVID-19 vaccination and believes vaccines are safe and effective and the best defense against the virus. But he ended his statement by saying he does not support mandatory vaccination.
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“The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and our best defense against the virus, but it must remain voluntary and never forced“.
The full text of the executive order states:
“No entity in Texas may require proof of COVID-19 vaccination from any person, including an employee or consumer, who objects to such vaccination for any reason of personal conscience, religious belief, or medical reason, including recovery from COVID-19“.
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This order comes at a time when a large share of American workers support mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in the workplace.
Will Gov. Abbott's executive order override a Biden federal order mandating vaccines? We'll find out soon enough. However, a White House spokesman said federal law trumps state law.
Source: Gizmodo
