The 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Biden administration's vaccine mandate for private employers of companies exceeding 100 people can take effect. The rule issued by OSHA meant that some 84 million US workers faced a January 4 deadline to get vaccinated before it was paused. It is unclear after the latest ruling last week when the requirement will be in effect. Under the rule, employees who are not fully vaccinated would have to wear masks and be tested on a weekly basis for COVID-19. The OSHA rule threatens fines of up to $13,600 per violation. It also threatens to fine an additional $13,600 per day that an employer does not abate the violation. For a willful, or serious, violation OSHA can issue a fine up to $136,000.

A federal appeals court late Friday in a split decision ruled that the Biden administration's vaccine mandate for private employers of companies exceeding 100 people can take effect.