Nebraskans to be exempted from vaccine mandates, but might be required to wear face masks at work, new bill passed Friday
Omaha, Nebraska – Since the Covid-19 vaccines were rolled out for emergency use more than a year ago, vaccine mandates were slowly becoming a hot topic across the country.
In the last couple of months since the last summer’s months, many companies introduced vaccine mandates, mandatory weekly testing and other pandemic measures that were more or less popular depending on the current Covid-19 situation.
In a period when the Covid-19 numbers are declining after the strong Omicron winter wave, both the companies and the health officials are still strongly advising those unvaccinated to get the shot as soon as possible, but the narrative about the vaccines and the interest in implementing vaccine mandates are slowly declining.
When it comes to Nebraska, everyone can be exempted from vaccine mandate after a new bill was passed Friday morning.
Passed on a 35-7 vote, LB-906 compels the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to provide a form on its website that can be downloaded by any employee seeking a COVID-19 vaccination exemption either on a health care practitioner’s recommendation or an individual’s religious beliefs.
The bill applies to all Nebraska employers, including state agencies, according to a release from the Unicameral. Federal agencies and corporations, Indian tribes, and other organizations exempt from federal taxation are also exempt from this requirement.
The LB-906 was introduced by State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair and as per the bill, the employers can still require their unvaccinated employees to wear face mask or face coverings and even requiring them to undergo regular Covid-19 testing at employer’s cost.
“Medicare-certified and Medicaid-certified providers or suppliers and federal contractors may require additional processes, documentation, or accommodations as necessary to comply with federal law and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations,” the release states.
