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News about coronavirus in Florida and around the world is constantly emerging. It's hard to stay on top of it all but Health News Florida can help. Our responsibility is to keep you informed, and to help discern what’s important for your family as you make what could be life-saving decisions.

OSHA halts enforcement of vax mandate for large companies pending litigation

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
OSHA
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

The agency says that since a federal appeals court ordered a stay that it “has suspended activities related to the implementation and enforcement” until further court order.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has suspended activities related to the implementation and enforcement of its vaccine mandate for larger companies after a stay was reaffirmed by a federal appeals court.

The Biden administration’s emergency temporary standard was issued on Nov. 5. It requires employers with 100 or more workers to ensure their workers are vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing starting Jan. 4.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the rule and reaffirmed its stay a week later.

OSHA said Wednesday that since the court ordered that it “take no steps to implement or enforce” the mandate “until further court order,” the agency “has suspended activities related to the implementation and enforcement” of the requirement “pending future developments in the litigation.”

After the stay, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was selected to decide the rule’s future after multiple lawsuits against the administration were filed in several federal appeals courts.

“OSHA remains confident in its authority to protect workers in emergencies,” the agency said.

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.