Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Friday prohibiting businesses and government from implementing “vaccine passport” policies in Florida.
The order restricts entities from requiring a patron or customer to provide documentation that proves they received a COVID-19 vaccine to gain access to or service from the business.
It also calls on state agencies to ensure businesses comply. Those in violation, the order stipulates, will not be eligible for state grants or contracts.
“It’s completely unacceptable for either the government or the private sector to impose upon you the requirement that you show proof of vaccine to just simply be able to participate in normal society,” he said.
Legislative leaders, meanwhile, have expressed varying views on the issue.
House Speaker Chris Sprowls suggested support for the idea in March.
“That’s totally and wholly unreasonable based on what’s happening out there in the world,” Sprowls said. “I think that businesses have required a number of things that comply with CDC guidelines. I don’t believe that is something that the CDC is even calling for. I have not had a single business owner who has reached out to me and said we are in dire need of doing a COVID-19 vaccine passport.”
Senate President Wilton Simpson, alternatively, appeared less bullish on the issue, suggesting that business should have the ability to determine who comes and goes.
“On the surface I would say ‘yes’ because they are a private business,” Simpson said. “They can do what they want, but, clearly, they will bear the responsibility of that decision.”
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