COLUMBIA, S.C.—South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said Tuesday he doesn’t want the government to get in-between businesses and their employees when it comes to whether private companies should be allowed to require COVID-19 vaccines.
McMaster’s comments came after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order in his state on Monday banning vaccine mandates in the state. The order also prevents private businesses from issuing vaccine mandates for its employees or customers.
“I think Gov. Abbott is a very experienced leader in Texas, but in our state, we didn’t tell our businesses what to do, and we’re not going to tell them what not to do,” McMaster said Tuesday while speaking to reporters at the State House.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, McMaster has aimed to keep businesses open while also avoiding statewide mask mandates.
McMaster has pushed back against the Biden administration’s planned vaccine mandate for hospital workers, federal contractors, and businesses with more than 100 employees that would affect about 100 million Americans announced by President Joe Biden last month.
McMaster, who has been vaccinated, has said people should get the information about vaccines and make decisions for themselves.
