Vaccine Mandates Coming At Federal, State, Local Levels Down To Restaurants, Bars; DOJ Ruling
Daily Kos, By Mark Sumner, July 29, 2021.
On Tuesday, the Justice Department issued a legal opinion in response to questions about whether companies and government entities can require workers to take the COVID-19 vaccine, even though current vaccines are available under an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA. After a thorough review, and pointing out some confusing issues of current law, the DOJ responded with an emphatic “yes.”
“For the reasons set forth above, we conclude that section 564 of the FDCA does not prohibit public or private entities from imposing vaccination requirements, even when the only vaccines available are those authorized under EUAs.” This ruling built on top of previous guidance from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which determined “Federal EEO laws do not prevent an employer from requiring all employees physically entering the workplace to be vaccinated for COVID-19...”
With these rulings in hand, President Joe Biden is moving ahead to see that federal workers either get vaccinated, or face regular testing. As Reuters reports, Biden is expected to make an announcement that involves all civilian federal workers on Thursday afternoon at the White House. Workers who refuse the vaccine will not be fired or reprimanded. They will, however, face additional testing and social distancing guidelines. In all, the mandate would cover 2.18 million civilian employees. It may also extend to 570,000 workers for the U.S. Postal Service.
In addition to the expected federal requirements, both Calif. and NYC have announced intention to require COVID-19 vaccines for their respective state and municipal employees along with health care workers. And it’s not just the federal government that is leaning on that DOJ decision. The unvaccinated are about to find their options are getting smaller on a number of fronts. Despite Republicans at the state level attempting to block “vaccine passports,” KSDK reports that a group of restaurants in St. Louis will now limit indoor dining only to the vaccinated...
Read More,
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/7/29/2042676/-Biden-expected-to-require-vaccination-of-federal-workers-as-DOJ-backs-authority-of-vaccine-mandates
- Covid-19 vaccines being prepared to inoculate people in Fla. by soldiers from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team.
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