- Joined
- Oct 22, 2002
- Messages
- 38,937
- Location
- Frozen in Michigan
- Gender
- Old Fart
- Basic Beliefs
- Don't be a dick.
Special Olympics drops COVID-19 vaccine requirement after Florida threatens $27.5M in fines
Special Olympics officials rescind its COVID vaccination requirement after Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis threatens to impose $27.5 million in fines.
www.usatoday.com
Competitors will no longer need a COVID-19 vaccine to participate in the Special Olympics.
The state of Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis had threatened the Special Olympics with $27.5 million worth of fines over the organization's vaccination requirements.
The Florida Department of Health sent a letter – obtained and first reported by ABC News – to the organization this week explaining their intentions to fine them for violating statutes that prohibit businesses and charitable organizations in Florida from requiring proof of vaccination to enter.
Special Olympics officials rescinded the requirement Thursday in response and released a statement Friday ahead of the Games in Orlando:
"Special Olympics, Inc. (SOI) announced on June 2, 2022, that it is lifting the vaccine requirement for delegation members attending the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games being held in Orlando, Florida, June 5-12, as required by state of Florida officials on May 27, based upon the Florida Department of Health’s interpretation of Florida law."