TALLAHASSEE, Florida (PNN) - April 2, 2021 - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an emergency order Friday prohibiting “vaccine passports” as proof a person has received COVID-19 shots in the state.

The move also banned businesses in Florida from requiring customers to show documentation that they’ve been vaccinated against the virus, according to the executive action.

“Businesses in Florida are prohibited from requiring patrons or customers to provide any documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or post-transmission recovery to gain access to, entry upon, or service from the business,” it states. “This order is effective immediately.”

Companies that fail to comply with the order won’t be eligible for contracts or grants funded through state revenue, according to the mandate.

The move flies in the face of several South Florida businesses that have announced jab requirements - such as Nova Southeastern University, which has said all students and faculty must be vaccinated before the fall semester.

Earlier this week, DeSantis rejected the notion of vaccine passports as a way of restricting admissions to everything from movie theaters to sporting events and airplanes.

“It’s completely unacceptable for either the government or the private sector to impose upon you the requirement that you show proof of vaccine to just simply be able to participate in normal society,” he said at a press conference Monday.

DeSantis said he had privacy concerns over corporations handling “vaccine data”.

“You want the fox to guard the henhouse?” he said. “Give me a break.”

The White House has said the federal government won’t administer vaccine passports because it might cause some people to avoid getting the shots.