Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Friday banning vaccine passports as federal leaders debated the idea.
A vaccine passport could be a digital proof of vaccination stored on a phone. Under the order, the ban applies not only to travel but also to businesses. The question of whether someone would need to show proof of vaccination to enter an airport, stadium or restaurant became a flashpoint.
“I mean give me a break,” DeSantis said at a news conference. “I think this is something that has huge privacy implications. It is not necessary to do. You wanna go to a movie theater. Should you have to show that? No. You want to go to a game? No. You want to go to a theme park? No.”
Some other countries moved to require proof of vaccination, and the Biden administration pushed for federal standards for the private sector without creating or mandating passports. In Pensacola, residents were divided. “He should leave it open though because if you want to like show that you got vaccinated you can show it,” one resident said, while another argued businesses should be free to set their own rules.