NYC mandates proof of vaccination for many indoor settings
By Nolan Hicks and Sam Raskin - New York Post
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New York City is mandating proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter certain indoor businesses — including all indoor restaurants, entertainment venues and gyms, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday.
“It’s time for people to see vaccination as necessary to living a good and full and healthy life,” de Blasio said during his daily press briefing.
“This is crucial, because we know that this will encourage a lot more vaccination.”
The program, which de Blasio dubbed the “Key to NYC Pass,” makes New York the first major US city to create such a mandate and, according to the mayor, marks a significant escalation of the city’s efforts to curb the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases driven by the Delta variant, and will launch on Aug. 16.
“It will require vaccination for workers and customers in indoor dining, in indoor fitness facilities, indoor entertainment facilities,” he said. “The only way to patronize these businesses indoors is if you’re vaccinated.”
“If you want to participate in society fully, you’ve got to get vaccinated,” de Blasio added.
Enforcement will begin on Sept. 13, following a public service announcement campaign, de Blasio said. Entry will be denied to anyone without a shot.
“If we’re going to stop the Delta variant, the time is now,” said the mayor. “This is going to make clear, you want to enjoy everything great in this summer of New York City? Go get vaccinated.”
The program is modeled after the vaccine passport programs rolled out in France and other European countries, officials said.
The specifics of policy will be finalized by the week of Aug. 16, de Blasio said.
New Yorkers will be required to show either the state’ “Excelsior Pass,” the city’s new vaccine pass or Center for Disease Control’s paper vaccine card, as proof of vaccination, officials told The Post.
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Unlike the newly released rules for city workers, those who are unvaccinated will not have an option to receive a COVID-19 test, administration sources said. The restrictions will not apply to outdoor dining, sources said.
In recent days, de Blasio has repeatedly floated the possibility of ramping up restrictions and vaccine requirements. He mandated in late July that all public health system employees get their shots or receive a weekly coronavirus test — and then expanded the requirement to the entire city workforce.
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“We’ve got to shake people at this point and say, ‘Come on now.’ We tried voluntary. We could not have been more kind and compassionate. Free testing, everywhere you turn, incentives, friendly, warm embrace. The voluntary phase is over,” de Blasio said on MSNBC last week. “It’s time for mandates, because it’s the only way to protect our people.”
During an appearance on CNN, the mayor left the door open to soon imposing vaccination requirements to enter city bars and restaurants.
“Given everything we’re learning, all options are on the table,” he said Friday. “I keep saying we’re climbing the ladder in terms of more and more mandates.”
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And on Monday, the mayor hinted at the Big Apple moving toward a “reality” in which those who do not get vaccinated are barred from certain settings.
“More and more, there’s going to be a reality where, if you’re vaccinated, a world of opportunity opens up to you. If you’re not vaccinated, there’s going to be more and more things you can’t do,” de Blasio said during his virtual press briefing, when he announced that the city will only hire vaccinated workers and advised all New Yorkers to wear masks in indoor, public settings.
“I say that to say, go get vaccinated, so you can fully participate in the life of this city, because that’s where things are going.”
