Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order prohibiting government-mandated vaccine passports in the state.
The Republican governor announced his executive order on Tuesday, stating that the "government should not require any Texan to show proof of vaccination and reveal private health information just to go about their daily lives."
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"We will continue to vaccinate more Texans and protect public health and we will do so without treading on Texans' personal freedoms," he added.
Abbott is not the first governor to issue an order banning vaccine passports in his state. Florida's GOP Gov. Rick DeSantis issued an executive order Friday banning the use of COVID-19 vaccine passports in the state.
The orders come after reports that the Biden administration is coordinating with private companies and federal agencies to develop a vaccine passport system that would allow people to access businesses, offices and restaurants by proving they have received their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Abbott came under fire last month when he lifted the state's mask mandate and increased the capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100%, stating "with medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus."
In Tuesday's announcement, the governor said the state this week will surpass 13 million vaccine doses administered. As of March 29, everyone 16 and older in Texas is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Texas' Department of Health reports that 14.67% of the state's population 16 and older has been vaccinated with at least one dose, with 8.76% receiving both doses. As of Monday, the state has reported more than 2.4 million cases and more than 47,740 deaths. Monday saw 837 new cases and three additional deaths.
