Arizona executive order barring public colleges from mandating COVID-19 vaccines, testing and mask wearing is expected to be codified into law.
Arizona State University announced its COVID-19 mitigation plans for an in-person fall semester just two weeks ago. Under the plans, students would not have to be vaccinated against COVID-19. But those who chose not to submit proof of vaccination to ASU would be required to participate in twice-weekly COVID testing, wear face coverings in both indoor and outdoor campus spaces, and submit to a daily health check. Fully vaccinated students would be able to bypass these extra requirements.
The political backlash was immediate and fierce — ASU was promptly forced by the governor to backtrack.
“This is bad policy, with no basis in public health,” Governor Doug Ducey, a Republican, wrote on Twitter the day ASU announced its policy.
He issued an executive order the next day stating that Arizona public universities and community colleges cannot mandate COVID-19 vaccines or require unvaccinated individuals to submit to COVID testing or to wear face masks as a condition for class attendance or participation in learning.