Disney World puts COVID-19 vaccination mandate policy on hold

Florida, Nov. 21 (BUS) – Disney World near Orlando, Florida, operated by The Walt Disney Company, has suspended the authorization of vaccination against the COVID-19 coronavirus, a company spokesperson said Saturday.

The move comes amid the Biden administration’s workplace COVID-19 vaccine rule, which requires companies with at least 100 employees to require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or be tested weekly and wear a face covering at work.

Local television station Fox 35 was the first to report the news, citing a cast member at the resort complex.

“We believe our approach to mandatory vaccinations was the right one as we continued to focus on the safety and well-being of cast members and guests,” a Disney spokesperson previously told Reuters by email.

“At this point, more than 90% of the active cast members in Florida have already achieved their full vaccination,” the spokesperson added.

Walt Disney executives, along with United Parcel Service Inc (UPS.N) and others, met with White House officials last month to discuss President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine requirements plan for private sector workers, amid concerns it could worsen employment. Shortages and supply chain problems.

Additionally, vaccine mandates are highly controversial in the United States. Supporters say they are helping end the coronavirus pandemic for nearly two years, while opponents say they violate the US Constitution and limit individual freedom.
Biden imposed that condition in September, telling Americans “our patience is running out” with those who refuse to be vaccinated.

The Walt Disney Company had made vaccination mandatory on July 30 for all its wage-earning and non-union hourly employees on site in the US, where the highly contagious Delta COVID-19 variant led to a resurgence of cases at the time.

HF