Facing legal challenges from across the country, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is suspending its implementation and enforcement of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate when it comes to private businesses.
OSHA is suspending its activities when it comes to companies with at least 100 employees. This follows action last week by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to stay what’s officially known as the Vaccination and Testing Emergency Standard until further court order. The agency says it “remains confident in its authority to protect workers in emergencies,” but it decided to suspend operations “pending future developments in the litigation.”
Numerous state attorneys general, including Kansas’ Derek Schmidt, have challenged this and other aspects of President Biden’s vaccine mandate. So far, there are over 30 objections filed on the business policy, with paperwork filed in all 11 federal regional circuits as well as the one for the District of Columbia. Those challenges will be consolidated in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Until the stay, business owners had until Jan. 4 to have their workers fully vaccinated or face being out of compliance with the federal government — and face fines of up to $14,000 per violation.
