US President Joe Biden has announced new COVID-19 measures that require workers at large companies to be vaccinated or face weekly testing.

BBC News reported that the measures include a vaccine mandate for federal government workers and come as cases in the country are surging. It also said that hospitals in several states have reached capacity amid the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant.

According to various reports, the new requirements cover about 100 million workers.

“This is not about freedom, or personal choice, it’s about protecting yourself and those around you,” Biden said as he unveiled his plan.

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Since 2020, more than 650,000 Americans have died due to COVID-19. About 80 million people in the US remain unvaccinated, the news agency said.

This plan was announced by the US President in a speech at the White House on Thursday. He had also directed the US Department of Labour to require all private businesses with 100 or more staff to mandate the jab or request proof of a negative coronavirus test from employees at least once a week.

Meanwhile, the plan triggered an immediate backlash among some Republicans, who argued that the government should not play a role in the health decisions of individuals.

What is Joe Biden’s new health plan?

The US President’s plan uses the full force of his executive power to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for unvaccinated Americans.

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Some of his initiatives address common concerns of Americans who have yet to get the vaccine, such as not wanting to miss work to get the jab or recover from side effects.

He also said that requirements that large businesses provide paid time off for workers to get vaccinated will be unveiled in the coming weeks by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Overall, the rule now requires that about two-thirds of all US workers be vaccinated.

BBC reported that thousands of people, largely unvaccinated, are dying every week in the US due to COVID-19.

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 65% of American adults are fully vaccinated. More than 75% have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, the education officials in Los Angeles voted to require students aged 12 and above to be vaccinated in order to attend school by January. The measure is likely to be challenged in the courts.