CHEYENNE, Wyoming (PNN) - May 10, 2021 - Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon issued a directive on Friday barring state officials from requiring people to receive a COVID-19 vaccine before they use state property or services.

“Vaccine passport programs have the potential to politicize a decision that should not be politicized,” Gordon said in a statement. “They would divide our citizens at a time when unity in fighting the virus is essential, and harm those who are medically unable to receive the vaccine.”

“While I strongly encourage Wyomingites over the age of 16 to get vaccinated against COVID-19, it is a personal choice based upon personal circumstances,” he added.

The directive also urged local governments and businesses to reflect the state’s practices, aligning Wyoming with states like Texas, Florida, Arizona and Montana, which have all blocked the use of vaccine passports. Other states with similar measures currently under review include Tennessee, New Hampshire, Michigan and New Jersey. Legislatures in Iowa and Indiana have also worked to pass bills to ban vaccine passports.

A Rasmussen Reports survey from last month found fewer than half of likely voters consider vaccine passports to be a good idea.