Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Monday banning government-issued vaccine “passports” statewide.
Abbott, a Republican, said vaccinations against COVID-19 cannot be government-mandated and that state residents’ choice to not receive one should not prevent them from going about their lives.
“Every day, Texans are returning to normal life as people get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine,” Abbot said in a public statement Tuesday. “But as I’ve said all along, these vaccines are always voluntary and never forced. Government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal private health information just to go about their daily lives.”
Abbott added that Texas would continue to vaccinate residents “and protect public health” without “treading on Texans’ personal freedoms.”
