LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts said during his press conference Tuesday that more information on possible changes to COVID-19 vaccination phase guidelines will be coming soon.
According to the Associated Press, the Trump administration is asking states to speed delivery of vaccines to those older than 65 and other high-risk individuals by no longer holding back the second dose of shots.
Gov. Ricketts said he wasn’t sure if the CDC made those changes official, but that the state of Nebraska was in talks with local public health officials and hospitals regarding some changes to vaccine guidelines.
He urged residents to not call their local health departments just yet and more information will be announced when the state’s vaccine website rolls out soon. The governor added that Nebraska is still working through Phase 1A of vaccinations.
Additionally, the governor mentioned he is not in favor of mandatory testing or vaccinations for college students as classes begin to resume.
Gov. Ricketts was asked about precautions with possible protests planned at state Capitols in the coming days. He urged people to protest peacefully and said he would not consider a ban on open carry of weapons in Nebraska’s Capitol building, saying that would be a violation of the second amendment.
He said he has had conversations with the Nebraska State Patrol and the National Guard regarding appropriate precautions for inauguration day. The governor didn’t expand on security matters at the Capitol, but the building will remain open on Jan. 20.
The governor proclaimed Tuesday “Religious Freedom Day,” saying that religious freedom is one of the most important things in our country.
“We need to protect it, celebrate it and cherish it,” Gov. Ricketts said.
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