U.S. Labor Dept withdrawing COVID vaccine rule for large employers

The Department of Labor said on Tuesday it will withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine-and-testing requirement for large U.S. employers after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the rule, ending a controversial bid to increase vaccination rates. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said in the federal register that while it was withdrawing the emergency temporary standard, the rule would remain as a proposal for a permanent requirement. 'OSHA continues to strongly encourage the vaccination of workers against the continuing dangers posed by COVID-19 in the workplace,' the notice said.