(WXYZ) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer said there have been "no conversations" around a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
RELATED: Yes, employers can mandate vaccines. Will they?
However, she did say that a safe and effective vaccine is the "strongest tool we have against this virus."
According to experts, employers can require vaccines. Some businesses, especially those in health care, have required them in the past.
“It would be possible," said Robert Fetter, an employment attorney, and partner at Miller Cohen PLC., previously told 7 Action News. "Under the current law employers can mandate a vaccine.”
Some businesses, especially those in health care, have required them in the past. Fetter says there can be exceptions for things like religious objections or a disability.
"These vaccine mandates have been challenged in the past and the only success that there's been has been on individual basis when it comes across someone's civil right like a religious discrimination or reasonable accommodation under the ADA,” Fetter said.
Even so, it’s unclear how many companies would attempt a vaccine mandate, especially if workers object.
"I think any employer who is worried about making sure their work force is safe and healthy should be making plans right now for how they will encourage or incentivize their employees to get vaccinated," Whitmer said.
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