Aug 19, 2021 - Politics & Policy
GOP Gov. Baker orders vaccine mandate for Massachusetts executive department workers
Gov. Charlie Baker. Photo: Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) issued an executive order Thursday that requires executive department employees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on or by Oct. 17.
Why it matters: Baker's order comes as other Republican governors push back on vaccine and masks mandates.
- Democratic governors in Minnesota, Washington, California, Illinois and New York, among others, have mandated vaccination for state employees.
The big picture: Massachusetts officials will roll out more information about the verification process in the coming weeks, Baker's office said in a press release.
- The policy applies to both on-site and remote employees, and failure to comply will be "subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination."
- Exemptions will be granted for medical or sincere religious reasons.
- The executive order applies to those employed in a "Commonwealth executive department agency, bureau department, office, or division of the Commonwealth."
Of note: Once the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention establishes guidelines for booster shots, employees will be required to receive those as well, the press release notes.