Texas governor bans mandated COVID-19 'vaccine passports'

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott used his executive power Tuesday to ban state government and some private entities from requiring COVID-19 "vaccine passports" to access services, in the latest move from a Republican governor pitting public health campaigns against personal freedom and private choices.

According to Abbott's order, state agencies and political subdivisions, and public and private organizations that receive public funding in Texas cannot require people to prove that they have been inoculated against the coronavirus. The mandate also states that it will supersede any conflicting local executive orders and calls for the Texas Legislature to take up COVID-19 vaccine requirements during its ongoing current session.