N.Y.C. to require proof of vaccination for indoor facilities

• Residents of New York City may soon be required to show their vaccination cards before being allowed inside indoor facilities.
• NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio hopes that the move will show people that getting vaccinated is “literally necessary to living a good and full and healthy life.”
• The mayor had been reluctant to issue a mask mandate, saying that wearing masks may give an excuse to people to not get vaccinated.

New York City residents will soon be required to show proof of vaccination before entering indoor facilities. This makes the city the first major U.S. city to issue such a mandate.

N.Y.C. Mayor Bill de Blasio made the announcement on Tuesday. Anyone who wishes to enter restaurants, fitness centers, entertainment facilities, and other indoor spots will have to show proof of vaccination before being allowed entry.

Speaking at a news conference, de Blasio declared, “It’s time for people to see vaccination as literally necessary to living a good and full and healthy life.”

“Not everyone is going to agree with this; I understand that,” he acknowledged.

He then pointed out, “But for so many people, this is going to be a lifesaving act, that we are putting a mandate in place that is going to guarantee a much higher level of vaccination in this city. And that is the key to protecting people, and the key to our recovery.”

As of Monday, around 60% of New York City residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, with over 10 million doses administered.

The mayor had previously shared his reluctance to issue a mask mandate, saying that wearing masks might be used as an excuse to not get vaccinated.

The Times reported that the city will be issuing a health commissioner’s order and a mayoral executive order to execute the new mandate, which will take effect on Aug. 16.

“If you want to participate in our society fully, you’ve got to get vaccinated. It’s time,” de Blasio announced.

In the days before the new requirements, de Blasio said that they will be “listening to feedback from the business community” to allow for any possible adjustments to the final details.

The mayor added that inspections will begin in mid-September.

“The goal here is to convince everyone that this is the time. If we’re going to stop the delta variant, the time is now,” the mayor declared.

According to the Times, the city will craft a health pass called the “Key to N.Y.C. Pass” to be used as proof of vaccination for the new mandate.

Source: PEOPLE