GOP Gov. Abbott Bans Vaccine Mandates by ‘Any Entity’ in Texas

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is not having it with “any” COVID-19 vaccine mandate in the state.

The governor issued an executive order on Monday stating 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.”

This ban includes private businesses — which President Joe Biden is expected to issue a federal rule for businesses with 100 or more employees to require workers to be fully vaccinated or submit a weekly test.

There is a fine for any “failure to comply with” the executive order.

Additionally, Abbott sent a message to the Chief Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate in the state to add the issue to to the Third Special Session agenda.

Per the press release, “The executive order will be rescinded upon the passage of such legislation.”

“The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and our best defense against the virus, but should remain voluntary and never forced,” Abbott said in a statement.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 56.4% of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths related to the virus have all declined recently across the country, per The New York Times. As the Times notes, 68% of adults in the U.S. are fully vaccinated, as of Oct. 8.

In the state of Texas, cases, hospitalizations and deaths have also continued to decline, as of Tuesday. Fifty-two percent of Texans are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the Times.