NYC to Require Proof of Vaccination For Indoor Dining and Gyms

New York City will become the first city in the nation to require proof of COVID vaccination to dine indoors and to attend gyms. Mayor Bill de Blasio said in an announcement Tuesday.

As reported by The Associated Press, the requirement will be phased in over the next several weeks across the city.

De Blasio said, “The only way to patronize these establishments indoors will be if you’re vaccinated.” He continued, “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. And that means getting vaccinated right now.”

The full details of the requirement are not outlined as of yet, but are expected to begin August 16th. Inspections and enforcement are set to begin in September.

Vaccination cards are expected to be the main method of proving one’s vaccination status.

The Mayor also suggested that those who are indoors at these locations wear a mask, but he stopped short of mandating them.

New York City has already mandated vaccines for city workers and was quick to join in on the $100 incentive that President Joe Biden suggested for citizens.

It will be interesting to monitor how this new requirement will affect the city. New York City is one of the nation’s top tourist locations with millions visiting each year.