On Thursday, the Biden administration warned of “planned inspections” and burdensome fines to make sure businesses comply with the Jan 4th deadline for a new coronavirus vaccine update.
A senior Biden official spoke to reporters regarding the planned enforcement before leveling an Occupational Safety and Public Health requirement for those businesses with over 100 employees to either get them vaccinated or the unvaccinated employees would be required to test weekly and wear masks.
“We also will be having some programmed or planned inspections where we do go to workplaces to check to make certain that the workplace is in compliance with the rule,” the official said.
The focus would be on those employers where employees complained about their working status, the official added.
A standard penalty of $14,000 per violation would be imposed on employers; it could escalate if they refuse to be compliant. Those who willfully or repeatedly violate the rule could be fined as much as $136,532.
“For example, if we identify that an employer is willfully violating a standard, then that penalty is significantly higher than a workplace that is not willfully doing so,” the official noted.
Health care facilities that do not comply with the mandate will have Medicare and Medicaid programs terminated by the government in extended punishment.
“Termination would really only occur if, after providing a facility with an opportunity to make corrections and come into compliance, they chose not to do so,” the official said.
After an extensive review, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration filed their temporary emergency standard for vaccine requirements on Thursday.
“The bottom line is: Vaccination requirements work,” the official concluded. “And the actions we’re taking tomorrow will lead to millions of Americans getting vaccinated, protecting workers, saving lives, strengthening our economy, and helping it to accelerate our path out of this pandemic.”
