CHARLOTTE — Companies with 100 or more employees will be required to have their workforces fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to regular testing by Jan. 4, with businesses that fail to comply facing tens of thousands of dollars in fines, according to senior Biden administration officials and guidance released Thursday by regulators.
The federal vaccine mandate could have a major impact across North Carolina. It states that on Jan. 4, 2022, anyone who works at a company with 100 or more employees must be fully vaccinated or get weekly COVID tests.
Weekly tests are not an option for some workplaces that receive money from Medicare and Medicaid, like hospitals and nursing homes.
The requirement, if it stands, will affect an estimated 80 million Americans or two-thirds of U.S. workers. It’s the first time Washington has set a federal standard that lists a respiratory virus as an occupational hazard.
It will certainly face legal challenges.
The new policy could impact the already-strained supply chain. Truck drivers say they’re worried it could be a big issue in their line of work, especially as the holidays approach.
(WATCH BELOW: Charlotte Regional Business Alliance discusses federal mask mandate for companies)
Some truck drivers said they’re vaccinated but they don’t believe everyone should be forced to get the shot.
“Our way of lives is we don’t like being pushed,” said Russell Ferguson. “We know what we need to do and we’ll do it. That (getting vaccinated) should be a personal choice, no matter who you are, no matter where you are, no matter what you do.”
The Truckload Carrier Association released a statement saying a vaccine mandate would be “disastrous” for an already strained supply chain -- especially if they lose drivers over it. The TCA said it pleaded for an exemption.
“These are the drivers the country is relying upon to deliver food, fuel, and presents for the upcoming holiday season, yet our national leadership has decided these needs must go unmet,” the TCA statement said.
Ronald Boertmann, of Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, has been a truck driver for 34 years. He told WTVD he had COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic and eventually did decide to get vaccinated -- but he added that it shouldn’t be mandated.
”As an American, I don’t think it should be forced on anybody. It should be your choice,” Boertmann said.
He said he thinks the company he works for will go through with the vaccine mandate rule.
“Truckers are independent people thinking,” Boertmann said. “Out here, you’re kind of by yourself. There’s no one pushing you to go down that road. You make your own life.”
The American Trucking Association said the industry is already short about 80,000 drivers. Trucking companies are trying to offer more pay to attract new drivers.
Ferguson said he believes that if ports start requiring vaccines, most truckers will quit.
“I do this (job) just for the simple fact that I help America roll, that’s what we do here,” he said. “Most of the trucking company industry is nothing but veterans, and we are not about to let somebody as a tyrannical point of view -- and that’s what we’re doing with what we’re seeing -- and it’s just not going to happen.”
WTVD contributed to this article.
(WATCH BELOW: Federal vaccine mandate for businesses, health care workers takes effect Jan. 4)
©2021 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
