New York City vaccination mandate: Will it take a bite out of the Big Apple?

While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard that requires vaccinations or vaccinations and testing for employers with more than 100 employees has been stalled in the courts, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a vaccine mandate for all New York City private-sector workers. Scheduled to take effect Dec. 27, the “Key to NYC” mandate is intended as a “preemptive strike” to head off a coronavirus surge. This is expected to impact 184,000 businesses.

The “Key to NYC” mandate toughens the city’s previous stance that required proof of only one vaccination dose to adults now needing to show proof of both to enter restaurants, bars, gyms and other venues, beginning Dec. 27. Additionally, children aged 5 to 11 will now be required to show proof of one vaccination dose starting Dec. 14 for indoor dining and high-risk extracurricular activities; children ages 12 to 17 had already had this requirement which will now be increased, like adults, to full vaccination status.