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‘Vaccination mandate is guided by OAG’
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Posted on Mar 30 2021
The idea to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for Executive Branch employees was not made in a vacuum, but arose from the guidance of the Office of the Attorney General, and that guidance will continue to be followed, according to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
Speaking at his regular radio news briefing last Friday, Torres said the draft directive to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for Executive Branch employees was first sent for approval to the OAG, and it was the OAG’s opinion that ended up being the guidance behind the directive.
“Nothing that we’re doing is ‘just because the governor said so.’ It is a guidance that we follow from the Attorney General’s Office, and when we talk about the safety of our community, it is imperative that that is our paramount responsibility,” said Torres.
This comes soon after 11 employees at the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services refused to be vaccinated, citing unknown health risks of the vaccine and insisting that they should be given the option to say no. It was learned that the 11 firefighters have been placed on administrative leave with pay.
Torres pointed out that first responders—which include firefighters—have an obligation to protect not only do each other but also the community. “You know, when you look at it, when you call 911, who do you want to come to save your mom, your daughter, your son, your grandma, your grandpa? A firefighter or first responder who is vaccinated, or the first responder that refuses to be vaccinated? Those are the questions that we ask ourselves,” said Torres.
Torres said his directive is not meant to target anyone; it’s a directive for everyone. He said employees have a right to refuse to be vaccinated if they have a medical condition that prevents them from being vaccinated or if it will run counter to their religious beliefs.
“But to just arbitrarily say I don’t want to do either of those.…Again, we’re following through the directive at the guidance of the attorney general,” said Torres.
Torres directed all Executive Branch employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as a means to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 last Feb. 18.
