(CNS News) -- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed an executive order on Tuesday to prohibit the state government from mandating the use of “vaccine passports,” documents or apps that disclose whether one has been vaccinated.
“These vaccines are always voluntary and never forced,” said Gov. Abbott in a video message posted on Twitter. “Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal private health information just to go about their daily lives.”
Sound on: pic.twitter.com/UgrO6YFgxh
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 6, 2021
“That is why I issued a government order that prohibits government-mandated vaccine passports in Texas,” said the governor. We will not “tread on Texans’ personal freedoms,” he stressed.
Abbott’s order bans organizations that receive public funds from making it a requirement for consumers to show proof of vaccination in order to enter the place or receive any service.
On Friday, Apr. 2, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R announced on Twitter a similar executive order against vaccine passports.
“Today I issued an executive order prohibiting the use of so-called COVID-19 vaccine passports,” said DeSantis. “The Legislature is working on making permanent these protections for Floridians and I look forward to signing them into law soon. Read my EO here – https://bit.ly/3dxuipJ”
“COVID-19 vaccine passports reduce individual freedom and will harm patient privacy,” DeSantis said in the executive order.
The executive order continued, “It is necessary to protect the fundamental rights and privacies of Floridians and the free flow of commerce within the state.”
Today I issued an executive order prohibiting the use of so-called COVID-19 vaccine passports. The Legislature is working on making permanent these protections for Floridians and I look forward to signing them into law soon. Read my EO here – https://t.co/6QwLsLWEWm
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 2, 2021