Gov. Greg Abbott says no Texas business can force employees to take COVID-19 vaccine
AUSTIN — In a direct rebuke of the Biden administration, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday declared that Texas businesses cannot order their workers or customers to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Abbott said people who object to coronavirus vaccines for religious reasons, on grounds of conscience or “for medical reasons, including prior recovery from COVID-19,” should not be compelled to take them.
No entity in Texas should do that, he said in an executive order threatening fines of $1,000 for violation of his emergency management plan for the pandemic. It’s a change from August, when the governor’s office said businesses had the option of requiring vaccines for employees.
Experts said that federal rules on vaccines would supersede the Republican governor’s rule.
Abbott, who is facing two GOP primary challengers who’ve called his COVID-19 crisis management a violation of Texans’ personal liberties, also placed the subject of barring…
