‘I think the President made a mistake,’ Gov. DeWine disagrees with Biden on vaccine mandate

COLUMBUS — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine disagrees with President Joe Biden’s decision to have COVID-19 vaccination requirements for federal workers, contractors, employees of large businesses and others.

“I think the President made a mistake by announcing federal vaccine mandates,” DeWine said. “We should be focused on the science of preventing virus spread - the vaccine is our best tool to stop COVID - but people and business owners should make their own decisions about vaccination.”

>> ‘We’re in a tough stretch’: Biden announces new COVID-19 mandates for millions of Americans

Biden announced Thursday that businesses with more than 100 employees must require that their workforces get vaccinated or implement weekly COVID-19 tests. This will come in the form of a rule from the Department of Labor. Biden said he also will sign an executive order to require employers to provide workers with paid time off to get vaccinated and call on large entertainment venues to require proof of vaccination or COVID-19 testing for entry, among other measures.

“This is not about freedom or personal choice,” Biden said. “It’s about protecting those around you.”

The White House said the mandate could apply to as many as 100 million Americans.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is drafting an emergency temporary standard to implement the requirement, according to the White House.

“Some of the biggest companies are already requiring this -- United Airlines, Disney, Tyson Foods, and even Fox News,” Biden said.

Under the plan, vaccine mandates will be expanded to private sector businesses with 100 or more employees, all federal workers, contractors who do business with the federal government, all health care workers in facilities that get Medicare or Medicaid dollars and staff in Head Start programs, Department of Defense schools and schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Education.

>> See the COVID-19 Action Plan

The sweeping plan aims to convince the 80 million Americans eligible for COVID-19 vaccination who have not gotten their shots to do so. It will also require employers to provide workers with paid time off to get vaccinated and call on large entertainment venues to require proof of vaccination or COVID-19 testing for entry, among other measures.

“The President’s plan will reduce the number of unvaccinated Americans by using regulatory powers and other actions to substantially increase the number of Americans covered by vaccination requirements,” White House officials said Thursday.

“This plan will ensure that we are using every available tool to combat COVID-19 and save even more lives in the months ahead, while also keeping schools open and safe, and protecting our economy from lockdowns and damage.”

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