By Ebi Kesiena
US President, Joe Biden will order all executive branch employees and federal contractors to be vaccinated against coronavirus.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the move seeks to quell the resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
Reports have it that Biden will sign the executive order on Thursday before outlining the requirements in a speech scheduled for 5 p.m. at the White House.
The president will also detail additional steps to increase vaccinations, keep schools open, expand testing and begin booster shots for all Americans.
The directive marks a significant hardening of the administration’s position on vaccine mandates amid the surge in the delta variant that threatens to overwhelm hospitals in parts of the US.
However, the mandate is likely to face pushback from labor groups.
