Biden Pushes Private Companies Employing Over 100 to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccinations

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden is reportedly set to announce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for private companies employing more than 100 people.

U.S. media outlets including The Hill reported on the 9th (local time), citing sources, that the new regulation will be included in President Biden's COVID-19 response speech scheduled for that afternoon. The speech is set for 5 p.m. Eastern Time (6 a.m. Korean time).

The Biden administration is reportedly exploring measures that would allow private companies to impose personnel-related penalties on workers who are not vaccinated.

This measure could affect approximately 80 million private sector workers. The New York Times reported that two-thirds of U.S. corporate employees fall under this regulation.

The U.S. administration also plans to implement a comprehensive vaccination mandate for federal government employees and contractors.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated at a briefing that, excluding religious and disability exemptions, the majority of federal employees will be given a 75-day grace period to get vaccinated.

The New York Times reported that President Biden's move will be the most extensive measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 since his inauguration.

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