Florida Governor Ron DeSantis threatens to fine government agencies "millions" for requiring employee vaccinations

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Monday that in an effort to "stand up for freedom," the state will be fining any local government that requires their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

He reiterated his position that vaccines are "available for all, but mandatory for none" and based his comments on legislation, SB 2006, that he signed in May. Among other things, the legislation bans businesses and local governments in the state from requiring people to prove they've been vaccinated or have recovered from a COVID infection to use their services. "If a government agency in the state of Florida forces a vaccine as a condition to employment, that violates Florida law and you will face a $5,000 fine for every single violation," DeSantis said Monday. "And so if you look at places here in Alachua County, like the city of Gainesville, that's millions and millions of dollars potentially in fines."