Tom Hals

(Reuters) – The Biden Administration’s COVID-19 employer vaccine rule must be blocked. U.S. employers shouldn’t have to rush to implement an illegal law, opponents said to a federal appels court Tuesday.

New Orleans’ U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is weighing whether it should lift Saturday’s order that froze the rule in litigation.

For allegedly overstepping its authority in issuing the vaccine rule, private employers, religious organisations and Texas states have brought lawsuits against the government.

Companies must create policies for employees and collect information about their health to be ready to apply the rule before the January 4th deadline.

In a court filing, the opposition stated that “these burdens begin now.” If the rule is ultimately enjoined, they will not be able to recover their lost effort and time.

According to the Biden Administration, the fifth U.S. Circuit Court Monday was informed by the Biden Administration that it would not lift the ban on the rule. This could lead to the deaths of dozens, or even hundreds, of workers each day.

They also dismissed the request of the government that it wait for next week. This is when all other federal appeals court cases will be combined in one court.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), unveiled the rule last week. It requires that all businesses with more than 100 employees get vaccinated or have their staff tested for COVID-19 at least once a week and be equipped with a mask.

In September, President Joe Biden stated that COVID-19 case numbers were increasing rapidly and that patience was running thin. He also revealed measures to increase inoculations.

Many large businesses and states have their own requirements regarding vaccinations for employees. A majority of Americans have had at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot.