Independent Operators

Sweeping vaccine mandates to affect American employers

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September 10, 2021

President Joe Biden has directed the Labor Department to mandate employers with more than 100 workers require the COVID-19 vaccine for their employees or expect once-a-week testing, according to sweeping edicts from the federal government Thursday, according to a CNN report.

The move is part of an aggressive six-step plan designed to curb the rise in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant sweeping the nation, especially among the unvaccinated.

"We've been patient," Biden said in a public speech given Thursday. "But our patience is wearing thin, and your refusal has cost all of us."

Requiring the vaccine or testing could affect up to 100 million Americans.

The White House will also require federal workers and contractors to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, a move that will affect 2.5 million workers. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that just over 62% of eligible Americans are full inoculated.

The president also spoke about the need for booster shots but stopped short of requiring them for Americans who have already received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The National Restaurant Association supports Biden's push for employer mandates, according to a statement from Sean Kennedy, EVP of public affairs.

"The National Restaurant Association and the restaurant industry support vaccination for everyone because higher vaccination rates are our best bet for containing the spread of COVID-19," Kennedy said in the statement. "Our COVID-19 Operating Guidance best practices continue to suggest that all restaurant employees be vaccinated if possible. While we appreciate the intent of this executive order, we hope that the Administration will work with us to take into consideration the unique operations of restaurants when creating the guidelines for implementation."