In a first, New York City mandates vaccines for all private sector workers
New York City has become the first city in the country to impose a coronavirus vaccine mandate for private employers.
Under the mandate, all private-sector employees in New York City will be required to get at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine by Dec. 27. In announcing the move, which he described as a “pre-emptive strike” to combat another COVID wave, Mayor Bill de Blasio said it would apply to about 184,000 businesses. The city said it plans to issue additional enforcement and reasonable accommodation guidance on Dec. 15, along with additional resources to support small businesses with implementation.
“New York City will not give a single inch in the fight against COVID-19,” said de Blasio, who will leave office on Jan.1. “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.”
The incoming mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, will have to decide whether to keep the new restrictions in place. He will “evaluate” the mandate when he gets into office, reported CBS New York.
New York City already has vaccine mandates in place for city workers and for indoor dining, entertainment and gyms. According to reports, 89% of adults in the city now have at least one dose of the vaccine.
The New York City measure comes as the vaccine mandate for large employers issued by the Biden Administration is held up by a number of legal challenges.
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