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A federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked United Airlines on Tuesday night from placing on unpaid leave any employee granted an exemption from the company's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Details: The temporary restraining order also states that the airline cannot deny any late requests "for religious or medical accommodations."
- The order is in place until Oct. 26 ahead of the court considering a preliminary injunction case.
The big picture: United Airlines said last month that more than 97% of the company's U.S.-based employees had been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.
- Six United workers who requested religious and/or medical exemptions have file a lawsuit last month against the company in an attempt to stay on the payroll, CNN notes.
Of note: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a sweeping executive order on Monday banning vaccine mandates by any "entity," including private employers.
- Southwest Airlines and American Airlines, both based in Texas, still plan to require employees to get vaccinated despite the state's new ban on vaccine mandates by private businesses.
Go deeper: United CEO: Mandating COVID vaccine was a no-brainer