Texas governor Greg Abbott said this morning that he is banning Covid-19 vaccine mandates for any entities in his state, including private companies.
Abbott tweeted:
“The Covid-19 vaccine is safe, effective & our best defense against the virus, but should always remain voluntary & never forced.”
His tweet included an attachment of the press release announcing his executive order, which said that “no entity in Texas can compel receipt of a Covid-19 vaccination by any individual, including an employee or consumer, who objects to such vaccination for any reason of personal conscience, based on a religious belief, or for medical reasons, including prior recovery from Covid-19.”
Last month, US President Joe Biden announced that his government would demand vaccines for federal workers and for businesses with more than 100 employees.
Greg Abbott has also been a staunch opponent of mask mandates. Texas democrats have accused him of putting party politics before public health.
However, in a later tweet, Abbott pointed to a steep decline in covid hospitalisations and deaths in Texas as vindication of his handling of the pandemic.
I issued an Executive Order prohibiting vaccine mandates by ANY entity in Texas.
I also added the issue to the Special Session agenda.
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, & our best defense against the virus, but should always remain voluntary & never forced. pic.twitter.com/8hHHLyebCk
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 11, 2021
