Texas becomes latest state to BAN COVID vaccine passports as Governor Greg Abbott says: 'We want to make sure that you have the freedom to go where you want without limits'
Vaccine passports have been banned in Texas to ensure people 'have the freedom to go where you want without limits,' the governor announced - following an example set by the Republican governors of Florida and Alabama.
Greg Abbott, governor since 2015, signed the bill into law on Monday.
'Texas is open 100 per cent, and we want to make sure that you have the freedom to go where you want without limits,' he said in a video posted online.
'The Texas Legislature passed a law that I'm about to sign that prohibits vaccine passports in Texas.
'No business or government entity can require a person to provide a vaccine passport or any other vaccine information as a condition of receiving any service or entering any place.'
Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, on Monday signed a bill into law banning the use of vaccine passports by businesses or local government. Any entity that requires them could lose their licenses or permits under Abbott's law
Abbott thanked the Texas legislature for passing the bill, which he signed into effect
Abbott then signed the bill - Senate Bill 968 - with a flourish, declaring: 'Vaccine passports are now prohibited in the Lone Star State.'
Companies that violate the law against vaccine passports could lose state contracts.
Additionally, state agencies could make compliance with the ban a condition of their getting licenses or permits.
Abbott later celebrated Texas' success in battling the pandemic, announcing that the state has a new all-time low in the seven-day positivity rate, at just 2.81 per cent.
There were only two fatalities recorded on Sunday, he said - only two days have had fewer since the pandemic begun.
Hospitalizations remain near 13 month lows, he said, adding: 'Great job, Texans!'
The issue of vaccine passports is proving deeply divisive.
The White House has said that they will not be federally mandated, with Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, saying on April 6 that the federal government is 'not now nor will be supporting a system that requires Americans to carry a credential.'
She added that 'there will be no federal vaccinations database and no federal mandate requiring everyone to obtain a single vaccination credential,'
Yet some Democrat states have introduced their own vaccine passports, promoting them as an easy way to ensure the safety of all who gather in a venue.
In New York, the Excelsior Pass - a free digital certificate, shown on a phone - is widely being used at venues such as Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, Citi Field and Yankee Stadium, which have been open with limited seating for fans.
An Orange County firefighter holds his vaccination card after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in Irvine, California, on January 27. Vaccine passports are not federally mandated, but some states have embraced them
Mask mandates have been lifted by most states. Pictured is a Kroger store in Houston, Texas on March 10. Texas lifted its statewide mask mandate on March 2, although stores could still enforce the rule if they wished
Large sports stadiums and arenas are set to begin dividing seating sections into 'vaccinated' and 'unvaccinated' sections - and some owners have indicated that far more space will be dedicated to the former, which won't require masks or social distancing.
Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, announced that Radio City Music Hall will reopen at 100 per cent capacity on June 19 for the closing night of the Tribeca Film Festival, but will require all patrons to be vaccinated and show their vaccine passport.
Some bars and restaurants in New York City now demand to see it.
Republican-run states, however, are moving in the opposite direction.
Many have already banned their local governments from requesting vaccination status, and some have taken it one step further - like Texas - and banned all vaccine passports.
Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, was one of the first to ban vaccine passports, signing a bill in May.
'In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision,' he said at the time of the bill's signing.
Alabama's governor, Kay Ivey, has also signed a similar bill which stops 'state and local governments from issuing vaccine passports to Alabamians' and 'also prevents businesses in the state from refusing service to a customer based on their vaccination status.'
However, the measure, signed on May 24, does not prevent employers from requiring employees to get vaccinated.
Other states taking action against vaccine passports and verification of status, via either executive action or legislation, include Arizona, Indiana, Idaho, Montana, South Carolina, and South Dakota.
