BREAKING: Judge grants temporary injunction preventing vaccine mandates for city employees

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - A Circuit Court judge has issued a temporary injunction preventing the City of Gainesville from requiring a COVID-19 vaccine for employees or terminating employees that do not get the vaccine.

Judge Monica Brasington of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court issued the ruling.

In her ruling, Judge Brasington stated the city did not present any evidence that the vaccine mandate serves “a compelling interest through the least restrictive means,” and that the burden is on the city to prove the mandate is in the best interest of the public.

This injunction is a temporary measure until the courts are able to reach a decision on the vaccine mandate enacted by the city.

Attorney Jeff Childers is representing 200 city employees in a lawsuit who are in opposition to the mandate.

Governor Ron DeSantis previously announced a $5000 fine for any government entity requiring vaccines for its employees.

A date has not been set for the next court hearing about the mandate.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Judge does not give a ruling on the COVID-19 vaccine mandate lawsuit against the City of Gainesville
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• Gainesville City Commissioner Harvey Ward calls out DeSantis’ “hypocritical” vaccine mandate policy

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