DeSantis issues executive order banning 'vaccine passports' in Florida

Vaccinations are "private health information which should not be shared by mandate," the governor said.

Published: April 2, 2021 3:55pm

Updated: April 2, 2021 4:12pm

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday announced the issuance of an executive order prohibiting the widespread imposition of COVID-19 "vaccination passports" in his state.

In the order, DeSantis argues that "no COVID-19 vaccine is required by law" and that "individual COVID-19 vaccination records are private health information which should not be shared by mandate." Mandating such passports, he said, would "reduce individual freedom and would harm patient privacy."

The order forbids both government and private agencies from imposing vaccine passport systems.

In a tweet announcing the order, DeSantis said the state legislature is "working on making [the order] permanent."