In New York City, proof of vaccination will soon be required for indoor dining, exercise, and entertainment.
“When you hear those words, I want you to imagine the notion that because someone is vaccinated, they can do all the amazing things that are available in New York City,” the mayor said. “If you’re unvaccinated, unfortunately, you will not be able to participate in many things.”
The mandate is similar to those given last month in France and Italy, but it is the first of its type in the United States. According to the mayor, it will apply to both employees and consumers in certain interior places. It will be phased at the beginning of August 16 and will be fully implemented by September 13.
“It’s time for people to see vaccinations as literately necessary to living a good and full and healthy life,” de Blasio added.
Mark Levine, Chair of the New York City Council’s Health Committee, has been pressing for the order.
“We’ve learned over the past year and a half that our choice is to act now or face more difficult options,” he said during the mayor’s press conference. “I really am optimistic that this will be just the nudge that folks who are on the fence will need to finally do the right thing to protect themselves, their families, their communities and get the vaccine.”
Like Equinox and Soul Cycle, several businesses have already begun to require vaccines for staff and consumers. According to the New York City Hospitality Alliance, the regulation is “a very difficult step, but ultimately may prove to be a necessary move.”
“Mandating vaccine requirements for restaurant and bar employees and customers to work and dine indoors is a very difficult step, but ultimately may prove an essential move to protecting public health and ensuring that New York City does not revert to restrictions and shut down orders that would again absolutely devastate small businesses that have not yet recovered from the pandemic,” Executive Director Andrew Rigie wrote.
“We know that a mandated vaccine requirement will pose economic and operational challenges to restaurants, particularly in communities with lower vaccination rates and hesitancy, however it will also alleviate the burden that restaurants and bars face when implementing this policy voluntarily.
“While having to require this requirement is far from ideal, now we need government to support restaurants, bars and workers with clear and fair guidelines, and an extensive outreach and education program, while also implementing more policies to support the industry’s recovery.”
In addition, all municipal workers in New York City must be vaccinated by the school on September 13 or face weekly testing. All new employees must produce proof of vaccination. The city has refrained from imposing a mask mandate, but the mayor and health commissioner say they “strongly recommend” that everyone wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.
COVID VACCINE
- New York State book online here or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX
- New York City book online here or call 877-VAX-4NYC
- Track NYC vaccinations by zip code
- Nassau County more info here
- Suffolk County more info here
- Westchester County more info here
- New Jersey book online here or call 1-855-568-0545
- Connecticut book online here
According to health experts, the Delta variety is to blame for the rising number of cases. According to the most recent data, the number of new cases in the city is increasing at 1,200 a day, more than tripling in the last ten days.
“My husband’s family, they died. People died from COVID,” Carmen Fuarez told CBS2’s John Dias.
The most recent high-profile instance is New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, who tested positive for the substance on Monday and will miss Tuesday’s game.
“They might not do so well without their ace pitcher,” Bronx resident Mike Kern said.
While Cole’s vaccination status is unclear, the Bronx community where Yankee Stadium is located — zip code 10451 — is 49.35 percent completely vaccinated, lower than the city’s average of 55.82 percent.
In return for the vaccination, free Yankee tickets didn’t appear to persuade many people on Tuesday, but one guy claimed he got the injection because he was afraid of the Delta strain.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on across the country, and I don’t want to get sick,” said the man named Frank.
He claimed to have had COVID earlier in the year.
“When I had it, I felt so sick I thought was going to die, and people are dying,” he said.
At least even without proof of vaccination, New Yorkers can still dine outside. To get entry, you must provide either a paper card or a vaccination app.
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