Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed 11 executive orders following his swearing-in ceremony on Saturday (Jan. 15), including those that overturn the state’s mask mandate for public schools and a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for state workers.
Several school districts in Virginia responded on Sunday (Jan. 16), saying that they will continue to require masks.
“We said all along that we were going to stand up for parents,” Youngkin said in the interview.
“In Virginia it is clear under law that parents have a fundamental right to make decisions for their children’s upbringing, their education and their care,” Youngkin said. “And so we are providing parents an opt-out. We’re providing them the ability to make the right decision for their child with regard to their child’s well-being.”
“We are going to use all the authority that I have to consider all options to protect that right,” he added.