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The Florida Health Department issued a notice of violation to Leon County and imposed fines totaling $3,570,000 for violating the law related to the state’s vaccine passport ban.
According to the Health Department, the fine has been imposed for 714 cases of violation of Florida’s vaccine passport ban. The action was taken after the County Government fired 14 employees who had not been vaccinated against the coronavirus.
“It is unacceptable that Leon County violated Florida law, infringed on current and former employees´ medical privacy and fired loyal public servants because of their personal health decisions”, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said in a statement. He added: “We will continue fighting for the rights of Floridians and the Florida Health Department will continue to enforce the law. We are going to stand up for Floridians’ jobs, stand up for Floridians’ livelihoods and stand up for freedom.”
The Florida Health Department had already reported last month that it would impose fines on all those who required the vaccination certificate in the state. It did so in compliance with the law known as SB 2006, enacted by DeSantis’ office in May, which prevents public and private entities from requiring proof of vaccination from employees, users and clients, and which is complemented by the Executive Order signed by the Governor in April to prohibit the issuance of vaccination passports for Floridians.
In that regard, the state Health Department issued a regulation imposing a $5,000 fine on entities, businesses, schools, and government agencies that violate SB 2006.
“We are here today to make it very clear that we will support the men and women who serve us, we are going to protect Florida jobs, and we are not going to let anyone be fired over the obligatory vaccine mandate,” DeSantis said.
