Dallas (AP) – Monday Southwest Airlines became the latest U.S. airline to require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Dallas-based company said workers would need to be fully immunized by Dec. 8 to stay with the airline. Employees can request permission to skip injections for medical or religious reasons.

Southwest Airlines said vaccinations must be mandatory due to a new rule from the Biden administration requiring vaccination staff to be assigned to companies with federal contracts. Southwest Airlines’ government efforts include the flight of troops in an emergency and transporting mail to the United States Postal Service.

Last week, rivals American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, I told staff I needed a vaccination. United also said it will put staff who cannot lay off for medical or religious reasons on unpaid leave until the COVID-19 infection rate drops.

Sud-Ouest has 54,000 employees.

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