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Florida mayors defy DeSantis with mask, vaccine mandates

Photo: Raychel Espiritu
Photo: Raychel Espiritu

MIAMI (AP) — As coronavirus cases continue to soar, two Florida mayors are announcing mask and vaccine mandates and defying the governor who is firmly opposed to any pandemic restrictions.

Miami-Dade County’s mayor says masks will again be required at indoor county facilities following new federal guidelines recommending that even people vaccinated against COVID-19 should wear masks.

And Orange County's mayor went a step further to require all 4,200 nonunion employees get their first COVID-19 shot by the end of August.

A new state law gives Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis the power to invalidate local measures and blocks government entities from requiring vaccination.

Danielle Prieur covers education in Central Florida.