In a move that will apply to approximately 184,000 businesses, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday the city will impose a new COVID vaccine mandate for all private companies that will go into effect starting Dec. 27.
The first-in-the-nation measure envisages no weekly testing option in the city that had already mandated all city workers to get the vaccine.
According to a press release, the city will issue on Dec. 15 additional enforcement and reasonable accommodation guidance.
Announcing the measure, De Blasio, whose term ends a few days after the measure takes effect, stressed that NYC has decided to use a preemptive strike, doing something really bold to stop the further spread of COVID.
Starting Dec.14, children between the ages of 5 and 11 will be required to show proof of vaccination at least one vaccine dose to access indoor dining, fitness, and entertainment venues.
They’ll also need a vaccine pass to participate in extracurricular activities like sports, band, orchestra, and dance, while children aged 12 and older must be fully vaccinated for participating in such activities.
However, Eric Adams, who takes office on Jan. 1, pointed through his spokesperson that he’ll reevaluate this mandate and other COVID strategies implemented so far when he is in office, stressing that all decisions will be made based on science, efficacy, and the advice of health professionals.
President Biden announced in September mandates for employers requiring more than 80 million Americans in the private sector to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or get tested weekly, but the federal mandate has been stalled by legal challenges making their way through the courts.
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