MIAMI – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis yesterday banned the use of “vaccine passports” in the southeastern US state, citing “individual freedom”.
The Republican’s executive order prohibits government offices from issuing any “standardised documentation” certifying that an individual has been immunised against Covid-19.
It also prohibits private companies in the state from requiring any type of document from their customers certifying their vaccination status, or immunity after they have recovered from the coronavirus.
The order by DeSantis, an ardent supporter of former president Donald Trump who is seen as a future potential candidate for the White House, said “so-called Covid-19 vaccine passports reduce individual freedom and will harm patient privacy”.
Earlier this week, the governor said such requirements imposed by the government on the private sector are “unacceptable”.
“You want to go to a movie theatre. Should you have to show that? No. You want to go to a game? No. You want to go to a theme park? No. We’re not supportive of that,” he told a press conference on Monday.
The order comes after The Washington Post reported that President Joe Biden’s administration is developing its own guidelines for such passports as it seeks to lift pandemic restrictions in the country.
Such a document is also being discussed internationally as part of a bid to revive travel and tourism.
China launched a system of passports last month, with citizens able to download the new certificates and use them to enter and leave the country. It is not mandatory, and available only to citizens.
The European Union is also set to propose rules for a vaccine digital “green pass” allowing people to move safely within the bloc or abroad.
In Florida, a state of 21 million people that is economically dependent on tourism, nearly six million have now received at least one vaccine dose.
As of next Monday, vaccinations will be available to all the state’s adult population. – AFP, April 3, 2021
