The Disney Company has stopped requiring employees at its massive entertainment complex in Florida to be vaccinated. The move comes after a new bill was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that prohibits vaccine mandates and fines companies who require their employees to get the jab. The Washington Post reports:
In a statement to The Washington Post on Saturday, Disney said it still believes its “approach to mandatory vaccines has been the right one.” But amid the uncertainty caused by the new state laws, Disney “will address legal developments as appropriate,” the statement said.
The new law calls for large companies to be fined as much as $50,000 per violation. Small companies can be fined up to $10,000.
Since earlier in the fall, Disney has required employees to be vaccinated. A federal mandate to require all large companies to have employees protected has been suspended while it’s being challenged in federal court. The Post adds:
DeSantis has repeatedly moved against coronavirus restrictions and vaccine mandates, touting his state’s policies as promoting “freedom,” even as the state has among the highest tallies of covid-related deaths in the country. He is widely seen as a potential candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
The Disney website says “We encourage people to get vaccinated.” Meanwhile, Disney cruises will require all passengers ages 5 and up to be vaccinated beginning in January.