Tom Wolf announced this week in coordination with the Pennsylvania Game Commission & Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission that effective May 1st, proof of vaccination will be required to purchase hunting or fishing licenses within the commonwealth. Lawmakers praised the bill as one further incentive to getting Pennsylvanians vaccinated and hopefully seeing an end to the pandemic.
Some critics were vocal in their opposition of the measure. Their objections mostly centered around archaic notions of “freedom of choice”, “personal health,” questions about potential “side effects” and the notion that the state of Pennsylvania is not a dictatorship. Overall however, the response to the measure have been overwhelmingly positive.
The full effects of this measure will not likely be felt until mid June when hunting licenses for the 2022/2023 go on sale and the subsequent months in which many Pennsylvanians get their antlerless tags through county treasurers office.
Reprising her role as Pennsylvania’s beloved health secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine even visited Harrisburg on Friday to affirm the mandate and promise the concerned public:
“By July we hope to require proof of vaccinations for all ice cream sales, air conditioner sales, entrance to state parks, public pools and sporting events. Together we can mandate a healthier future for the commonwealth.”
Her announcement was met with thunderous applause. Happy April 1st!