New York City officials have announced a first-in-the-nation citywide vaccine mandate for private sector employees.
On Monday, December 6, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a new COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all private sector workers to go into effect on December 27, 2021.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns about the spread of the omicron variant of the Coronavirus after 8 cases were found in New York state over the weekend.
Per the new mandate, workers will be required to show proof of two vaccine doses, except for those who received the single shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
De Blasio says that the mandate will impact approximately 184,000 businesses.
Officials will release more information on additional enforcement and reasonable accommodation guidance on December 15, but there is currently no exemption from vaccine requirements for the trucking industry.
“New York City will not give a single inch in the fight against COVID-19. 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,” said de Blasio. “From workplace mandates, to $100 incentives, to mobile and at-home vaccination offerings, no place in the nation has done more to end the COVID era. And if you have not taken this step yet: there’s no better day than today to stand up for your city.”
New York City will also require proof of full vaccination for customers at indoor dining, fitness, entertainment, and performance venues, officials announced on Monday. Previously, customers were only required to show proof of a single shot.
De Blasio is leaving office at the end of the year. It isn’t clear whether Mayor-Elect Eric Adams will support and enforce the private sector vaccine mandate.
A federal COVID-19 vaccine and testing mandate for private sector employers with more than 100 workers is currently on pause pending future developments in the litigation after dozens of lawsuits were filed.