Covid-19 vaccines reach the United States Supreme Court

Washington – The Supreme Court announced Wednesday that it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to hear arguments on the vaccination requirement and diagnostic tests imposed by the president’s government Joe Biden to big companies. The vaccination order for health workers will also be discussed, a debate that will come amid growing numbers of coronavirus infections.

The highest court said it will hear arguments in both cases on January 7. The court had no cases scheduled until January 10.

Read also: Gov. Greg Abbott Files Challenge Against Biden Government Vaccination Requirement

An appeals panel ruled Friday that the vaccine or diagnostic test regimen for employees of large companies could go into effect. The plan requires workers in larger companies to be vaccinated or wear masks and undergo weekly diagnostic tests.

This requirement could affect some 84 million workers in the United States. The court will have to debate whether the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has the authority to enforce the requirement, which is scheduled to take effect on January 4.

Read also: The United States requires proof of covid-19 and proof of vaccination to international travelers

The court will also hear arguments about a rule that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid published on November 5 that affects a wide range of health care providers who receive funding from Medicare or Medicaid. It requires that its workers receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine no later than December 6 and have a complete vaccination schedule by January 4. It was projected to affect more than 17 million employees in about 76,000 healthcare facilities, as well as home health providers. Lower courts have blocked the mandate in about half of the country’s states.