6 Army Commanders Relieved Of Duty Over Covid Vaccine Mandate
Meanwhile, cruise lines will no longer be required to follow covid guidance on ships as outlined by the CDC, USA Today reported.
CBS News:
Army Has Relieved Six Active-Duty Commanders For Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine
The Army has relieved six active-duty commanders, including two battalion commanders, and issued 2,994 general officer written reprimands to soldiers for refusing a COVID vaccine. In a release Wednesday, the Army said the punishments were for refusing the lawful order by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The Army has not yet initiated separations for soldiers refusing the vaccine but expects further guidance later this month. (Watson, 1/12)
In news about booster shots —
Bay Area News Group:
San Jose City Council Approves Booster Shot Mandate For Large Events At City-Owned Buildings
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases fueled by the omicron variant, San Jose is about to become the first city in California to require all of its employees to get a booster shot in addition to the initial vaccine doses mandated earlier. The City Council on Tuesday night also adopted a new ordinance requiring visitors of large, indoor events held at public facilities such as the SAP Center and San Jose Convention Center to show proof they received a booster shot — or at least submit a negative COVID-19 test — before entering. (Angst and Lin, 1/12)
AP:
Trump Slams Politicians Who Won't Say They Got Booster Shots
Former President Donald Trump is slamming politicians who refuse to say whether they have received COVID-19 booster shots as “gutless.” “You gotta say it. Whether you had it or not, say it,” Trump said in an interview that aired Tuesday night on the conservative One America News Network. (Colvin, 1/12)
In updates on cruise line mandates —
USA Today:
Cruise Lines' CDC COVID Protocols Will Become Voluntary
Cruise lines will no longer be obliged to follow COVID guidance on ships as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC's Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, which was extended and modified in October, will expire Saturday at which point the health agency's COVID guidance for cruise ships will become voluntary, the CDC confirmed to USA TODAY Wednesday. This means cruise lines can choose whether to follow the health agency's guidance or not. The health agency "is transitioning to a voluntary COVID-19 risk mitigation program" the CDC said in a statement shared by spokesperson David Daigle. (Hines, 1/12)
The Washington Post:
Cruises Use Quarantine Ships For Isolating Covid-Positive Crew
While some of the world’s largest cruise lines are scrambling to manage coronavirus outbreaks onboard, at least two companies are offloading crew members who test positive onto ships that are sailing without any passengers. Two industry giants, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International, say they are transferring workers to crew-only ships to wait out their isolation periods. The movement of crews has raised eyebrows among some passengers, who have documented transfers of more than 100 workers. Neither cruise line would disclose to The Washington Post how many employees are staying on quarantine ships. (Sampson, 1/12)
