New York Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced a Covid-19 vaccine mandate for private-sector workers. The mandate will take effect on Dec. 27 and apply to approximately 184,000 businesses.
The city plans to issue additional enforcement and reasonable accommodation guidance on Dec. 15. It also plans to provide additional resources to support small businesses with implementation.
“Vaccination is the way out of this pandemic, and these are bold, first-in-the-nation measures to encourage New Yorkers to keep themselves and their communities safe,” de Blasio said.
New York already has mandatory vaccination in place for city employees, childcare providers and nonpublic school employees. Approximately 94% of the city’s own workforce is vaccinated.
DiBlasio’s announcement also included a requirement that children ages 5 to 11 show proof of one vaccine dose for indoor dining, fitness, entertainment and performance venues starting on Dec. 14. In addition, New Yorkers ages 12 and older will be required to show proof of two vaccine doses, instead of one, starting Dec. 27 except for those who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The Associated Press reported the business mandate will take effect days before de Blasio leaves office. Candidates for New York governor in next November’s election have spoken out against it.
“No one wants to live through this de Blasio gone wild power kick anymore,” New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin said in a tweet. “This new Covid vax mandate isn’t just wrong & disastrous for NYC, but it’s also illegal. If courts don’t intervene, many NYC residents are about to lose their job which they don’t deserve & can’t afford.”