The US Supreme Court delivered a blow to President Joe Biden on Thursday, blocking his Covid vaccination-or-testing mandate for employees of large businesses.

At the same time, the nation’s highest court allowed a vaccination mandate for health care workers at facilities receiving federal funding.

Biden said he was “disappointed” in the nine-member court’s decision striking down his mandate for businesses with 100 employees or more to vaccinate or test their workers for Covid-19.

“I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law,” Biden said in a statement.

The president welcomed the requirement that health care workers be vaccinated, saying it would affect some 10 million people working at facilities receiving federal funds and will “save lives.” – AFP