New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday a vaccine mandate for all private employers in efforts to combat the spread of the Omicron variant. De Blasio said the mandate, set to take effect on December 27, serves as a “pre-emptive strike” to delay another surge of cases and help reduce transmission during the […]
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday a vaccine mandate for all private employers in efforts to combat the spread of the Omicron variant.
De Blasio said the mandate, set to take effect on December 27, serves as a “pre-emptive strike” to delay another surge of cases and help reduce transmission during the winter months, the New York Times reports.
“Omicron is here, and it looks like it’s very transmissible,” he said. “The timing is horrible with the winter months.”
The Big Apple already has vaccine mandates in place for city workers and for indoor dining, entertainment and gyms. Thus, nearly 90 percent of adults have already received at least one dose.
The new measure will apply to about 184,000 businesses.
De Blasio also announced that the rules for dining and entertainment would apply to children ages 5 to 11, who must have one dose to enter restaurants and theaters beginning December 14. The requirement for adults will increase from one dose to two beginning December 27.
Eric Adams, the mayor-elect who will take office on January 1, will evaluate the measure once he is mayor.
“The mayor-elect will evaluate this mandate and other Covid strategies when he is in office and make determinations based on science, efficacy and the advice of public health professionals,” spokesman Evan Thies said in a statement.
