Florida – Schools, business establishments, and government entities are required to pay the amount of $5,000 if they require people to present proof of vaccination.
In the battle against COVID-19, there is much debate about not giving people who are not vaccinated access inside certain areas and establishments.
The rule was finalized on Friday and will take effect on Sept. 16. It states that those that require customers or members to show proof of their vaccination will be issued a “$5,000 fine per individual and separate violation.”
Those who violate the rule will choose to appeal, however they will be required to pay within 30 days once it is finalized.
The bill banning schools, businesses, and government entities was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May. The statute also allows the state’s health department to impose a fine that is “not to exceed $5,000 per violation” on those who violate the ban.
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“This legislation ensures that legal safeguards are in place so that local governments cannot arbitrarily close our schools or businesses,” the Republican lawmaker, 42, said in a statement at the time.
“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.”
In addition, the governor also signed an executive order last month, banning school boards from implementing mask mandates in the next school year. He has threatened to withhold payments to those who refuse to follow the policy.
“The State Board of Education could move to withhold the salary of the district superintendent or school-board members, as a narrowly tailored means to address the decision-makers who led to the violation of law,” DeSantis wrote.
Cases of COVID-19 are increasing in the United States with the Delta variant as the most prevalent variant and is highly transmissible. According to data from CDC, unvaccinated individuals make up the majority of hospitalization cases.
As of Wednesday, 52.6 percent (174.6 million) of the United States populace is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the CDC, while 61.9 percent (205.5 million) have received at least one dose.