However, federal courts have blocked that plan for now ahead of NYC's January 4 deadline.
US President Joe Biden had sought to impose a less-far-reaching mandate, where employees of businesses with 100 or more workers either would be vaccinated or would undergo regular testing. However, no state has announced a broad, private-sector mandate like New York City's, according to the nonpartisan National Academy for State Health Policy. Vaccine rules across states and cities vary widely in the US, with some states resisting any mandates while others only require government employees or high-risk workers to be vaccinated, such as those in health care. New York City workers protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandate under President Joe Biden's administration which have been put on hold by federal judges.
Vaccinations are already required in New York City for hospital and aged care workers and for city employees, including teachers, police officers and firefighters. "A lot of folks to me in the private sector have said to me they believe in vaccination, but they're not quite sure how they can do it themselves. "It's the one thing that has worked every single time across the board. "Vaccination is the central weapon in this war against COVID," Mr de Blasio said at a virtual news conference. On average, New York City has just under 2,000 new COVID-19 cases daily, up from about 820 per day at the start of November. Here's what happened over the weekend as the world reacted to the new variant.What we know about the new variant of COVID-19, Omicron.Mr de Blasio said the move was aimed at staving off a spike of COVID-19 infections amid holiday gatherings and preventing its spread as cold weather drove more people indoors. New York City boasts a population of 8.8 million people, where 3.7 million make up the city's private-sector workforce.Ībout 5.8 million New Yorkers of all ages are fully vaccinated, while 84 per cent of adults - 5.9 million of 7 million people aged 18 years and older - have received their first dose.Īccording to a spokesperson for the mayor, roughly 184,000 businesses that were not covered by previous vaccine mandates will be impacted. In addition, children aged 5 to 11 years would have to show proof of at least one shot, Mr de Blasio said. The mayor also announced that anyone aged 12 years or older who wants to dine indoors at a restaurant, go to a gym or see a show will have to produce proof of having received two shots of the vaccine, up from the current requirement of one dose. UPDATES: Read our round-up of the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic However, religious or medical exemptions will be considered. No-one will be allowed to get out of the requirement by agreeing to regular COVID-19 testing instead. New York City's mandate will take effect from December 27, with workers needing to provide proof they have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by that date. "We in New York City have decided to use a pre-emptive strike, to really do something bold to stop the further growth of COVID and the dangers it's causing to all of us," Mr de Blasio said. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the broadest mandate the US has seen and it comes as COVID-19 cases across the country rise again, with the Omicron variant beginning its spread.