Name: Gov. Greg Abbott bans state agencies and state-funded organizations from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination
Brand: texastribune.org
SKU: texastribune-org-511
Availability: OnlineOnly

critic

Gov. Greg Abbott bans state agencies and state-funded organizations from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination

preview

, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.Gov. said Tuesday that he banned state agencies, political subdivisions and organizations receiving public funds from creating "vaccine passports" or otherwise requiring someone to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccine in order to receive services.This comes as vaccine credentials, often referred to as vaccine passports, are being developed around the world as a way to quickly prove someone's vaccination status. It has become a fierce debate, with Republicans largely opposing the move, saying it is an infringement on individual freedoms and privacy. Supporters, including a number of private companies, point to the passports as a way to confidently return to activities and ensure safety at workplaces.A handful of GOP-backed bills have been introduced in states across the U.S. aiming to restrict entities from requiring vaccines for their employees, including in Texas. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also prohibited state agencies from using vaccine passports but went a step further and said no business can require their customers to display them.Businesses can require their employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine, according to guidance from the ."Texans are returning to normal life as more people get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. But as I've said all along, these vaccines are always voluntary and never forced," Abbott said in a video announcing the executive order. "Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal health information just to go about their daily lives. That is why I have issued an executive order that prohibits government-mandated vaccine passports in Texas. We will continue to vaccinate more Texans and protect public health — and we will do so without treading on Texans' personal freedoms."Most plans for vaccine passports take the form of a smartphone app, although some are in a paper form and are seen as a way to ensure COVID-19-free spaces for a variety of situations, including concerts, restaurants and sporting events. New York became the first state to unveil this measure in its Excelsior Pass — which can be used to quickly show proof of a vaccination or a negative test.Israel, which has fully vaccinated over half of its population, also introduced a vaccine passport for anyone in the country. Vaccine passports are being developed and debated for use in the European Union.Abbott's order is consistent with his messaging on vaccinations. Although he was vaccinated live on TV, he also stresses that vaccines are "always voluntary" in his public statements.Republicans, especially white Republicans, have emerged as the most consistently hesitant group in Texas and in the country to getting COVID-19 vaccines. Most Republicans in the state say they are hesitant to get a COVID-19 shot, while 41% say they would refuse one altogether, according to the February .Meanwhile, Texas has fully vaccinated over 16% of its population. Hospitalizations and deaths in the state have . And last week, all Texans over the age of 16 became eligible to receive a vaccine — although the demand outweighs the supply, making it difficult for some to get an appointment., despite disproportionately suffering the virus' worst outcomes: death or hospitalization.Larger cities are , while rural areas are more likely to have surpluses of doses.For some, it has become a race to get vaccinated before another wave of infections can spread as variants take hold in the country.Nearly a month ago, Abbott — although many people still choose to wear masks and many businesses choose to require them. Hospitalizations in the state have continued to decline since peaking in January.This story is developing. Check back for more details.Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them .Perhaps it goes without saying — but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our : creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Do you value our journalism? Show us with your support.Loading content …Loading content …

, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.Gov. said Tuesday that he banned state agencies, political subdivisions and organizations receiving public funds from creating "vaccine passports" or otherwise requiring someone to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccine in order to receive services.This comes as vaccine credentials, often referred to as vaccine passports, are being developed around the world as a way to quickly prove someone's vaccination status. It has become a fierce debate, with Republicans largely opposing the move, saying it is an...

public

Reese Oxner

A member-supported, nonprofit and nonpartisan newsroom informing & engaging Texans on state politics & policy. Sign up for our daily email: http://trib.it/signup

Gov. Greg Abbott bans state agencies and state-funded organizations from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination

No article scores yet.

CRITIC REVIEWS

PUBLIC REVIEWS