DeSantis Pushes For Permanent Ban Of COVID-19 Mandates In FL

FLORIDA — Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling on state lawmakers to permanently ban all COVID-19 mandates — including vaccination and masking requirements — in Florida.

He shared his legislative proposal, which he dubbed “Prescribe Freedom,” on Tuesday, outlining terms that he calls “strong pro-freedom, anti-mandate action.”

The goal is to “permanently protect Floridians from losing their jobs due to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, protect parents’ rights, and institute additional protections that prevent discrimination based on COVID-19 vaccine status,” according to a news release from his office.

Similar measures were enacted in 2021, but they’re set to expire in June, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.

“Florida has led the way in protecting its people from medical authoritarianism, and these initiatives will make these protections a permanent feature in our laws,” DeSantis tweeted.

His new proposal calls for the permanent prohibition of COVID-19 vaccine passports, coronavirus vaccine and mask requirements in Florida schools, masking requirements by businesses, and prohibiting hiring and firing based on vaccine status.

“When the world lost its mind, Florida was a refuge of sanity, serving strongly as freedom’s linchpin,” DeSantis said in a statement. “These measures will ensure Florida remains this way and will provide landmark protections for free speech for medical practitioners.”

In 2021, the governor signed legislation protecting Florida jobs and parents’ rights to make health care decisions for their students, and banning private employer vaccine mandates and mask mandates across the state.

“As a health sciences researcher and physician, I have personally witnessed accomplished scientists receive threats due to their unorthodox positions,” Dr. Joseph Ladapo, the state’s surgeon general, said. “However, many of these positions have proven to be correct, as we’ve all seen over the past few years. All medical professionals should be encouraged to engage in scientific discourse without fearing for their livelihoods or their careers.”