https://nypost.com/2021/08/03/nyc-to-mandate-proof-of-vaccination-for-many-indoor-settings/ [p] Skip to main content Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission. Back to Reading Sections * News * Metro * Page Six * Sports * Business * Opinion * Entertainment * Fashion * Shopping * Living * Media * Tech * Real Estate * Video * Photos * Sub Menu 1 + Covers + Columnists + Horoscopes + Sports Odds + Podcasts + Email Newsletters + Official Store + Home Delivery * Sign in Search Type to Search [ ] Search Tips Sign Up Jalen Rose: Renaissance Man, a lifestyle & culture podcast New York Post Jalen Rose: Renaissance Man, a lifestyle & culture podcast Share this: * Facebook * Twitter * Flipboard * WhatsApp * Email * Copy * Metro Share this: * Facebook * Twitter * Flipboard * WhatsApp * Email * Copy * NYC mandates proof of vaccination for many indoor settings By Nolan Hicks and Sam Raskin * View author archive * email the author * follow on twitter * Get author RSS feed * View author archive * Get author RSS feed Most Popular Today 1 NYC mandates proof of vaccination for many indoor settings Simone Biles reveals family tragedy after dramatic Olympic return 2 NYC mandates proof of vaccination for many indoor settings 'Bulls--t' sneaker controversy explodes after 'best race in Olympic history' 3 NYC mandates proof of vaccination for many indoor settings Anderson Cooper lists late mom Gloria Vanderbilt's NYC home for $1.13M 4 NYC mandates proof of vaccination for many indoor settings Meghan Markle gives first glimpse of Prince Harry with daughter Lilibet 5 NYC mandates proof of vaccination for many indoor settings Jason Momoa calls out New York Times for 'icky' interview question Name(required) [ ] Email(required) [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Comment(required) [ ] Submit August 3, 2021 | 9:35am | Updated August 3, 2021 | 1:03pm More On: COVID vaccine NJ governor slams 'knucklehead' anti-vaxxers Arkansas governor regrets signing ban on mask mandates GOP pols demand reversal of 'unfair' indoor vaccine mandate 'immediately' Is the CDC TRYING to deter the vaccine-hesitant from getting jabbed? New York City is mandating proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter certain indoor businesses -- including all indoor restaurants, entertainment venues and gyms, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday. "It's time for people to see vaccination as necessary to living a good and full and healthy life," de Blasio said during his daily press briefing. "This is crucial, because we know that this will encourage a lot more vaccination." The program, which de Blasio dubbed the "Key to NYC Pass," makes New York the first major US city to create such a mandate, and marks a significant escalation of the city's efforts to curb the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases driven by the Delta variant. The initiative will launch on Aug. 16, the mayor said. "It will require vaccination for workers and customers in indoor dining, in indoor fitness facilities, indoor entertainment facilities," he said from City Hall. "The only way to patronize these businesses indoors is if you're vaccinated." "If you want to participate in society fully, you've got to get vaccinated," de Blasio added. Enforcement will begin on Sept. 13, following a public service announcement campaign, de Blasio said. Entry will be denied to anyone without a shot. "If we're going to stop the Delta variant, the time is now," said the mayor. "This is going to make clear, you want to enjoy everything great in this summer of New York City? Go get vaccinated." The "Key to NYC Pass" is part of the city's initiative to curb the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases driven by the Delta variant.Getty Images The program is modeled after the vaccine passport programs rolled out in France and other European countries, officials said. De Blasio said City Hall is finalizing the regulations, including if children younger than 12 years old with vaccinated parents will be allowed to dine indoors. Additionally, the mayor said the city is examining expanding the vaccine proof requirement to other indoor activities, such as shopping. The specifics of the new policy will be finalized by the week of Aug. 16, de Blasio said. New Yorkers will be required to show either the state' "Excelsior Pass," the city's new vaccine pass or Center for Disease Control's paper vaccine card, as proof of vaccination, according to the mayor. The Excelsior Pass app provides digital proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Unlike the newly released rules for city workers, those who are unvaccinated will not have an option to receive a COVID-19 test, de Blasio said. The restrictions will not apply to outdoor dining. State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-Queens) said he supports the policy. "Only government can make a difference here," he said during the virtual press briefing. "If we do not take a strong stand and say 'you have the right to your body, of course; but you do not have to kill other people." "A strong stance needs to be taken," the lawmaker added. "It will be controversial, but your stance -- when we look back in history on this one, this will be a defining moment in your government." Tren'ness Woods-Black -- granddaughter of Sylvia Woods, founder of the later Sylvia's in Harlem -- said the vaccine requirement is a necessary measure to keep neighborhood residents who have not yet received a shot healthy. "If you're vaccinated, a world of opportunity opens up to you," Mayor Bill de Blasio claimed.Getty Images "The real case is that COVID is killing us," she said. "We are being hit -- especially in Harlem and other black and brown communities especially hard -- because lots of folks are not getting the vaccination." The major announcement comes after de Blasio has in recent days repeatedly floated the possibility of ramping up restrictions and vaccine requirements. He mandated in late July that all public health system employees get their shots or receive a weekly coronavirus test -- and then expanded the requirement to the entire city workforce. "We've got to shake people at this point and say, 'Come on now.' We tried voluntary. We could not have been more kind and compassionate. Free testing, everywhere you turn, incentives, friendly, warm embrace . The voluntary phase is over," de Blasio said on MSNBC last week. "It's time for mandates, because it's the only way to protect our people." During an appearance on CNN, the mayor left the door open to soon imposing vaccination requirements to enter city bars and restaurants. "Given everything we're learning, all options are on the table," he said Friday. "I keep saying we're climbing the ladder in terms of more and more mandates." New York City restaurants, entertainment venues and gyms will soon require proof of vaccination against COVID-19.Getty Images And on Monday, the mayor hinted at the Big Apple moving toward a "reality" in which those who do not get vaccinated are barred from certain settings. "More and more, there's going to be a reality where, if you're vaccinated, a world of opportunity opens up to you. If you're not vaccinated, there's going to be more and more things you can't do," de Blasio said during his virtual press briefing, when he announced that the city will only hire vaccinated workers and advised all New Yorkers to wear masks in indoor, public settings. "I say that to say, go get vaccinated, so you can fully participate in the life of this city, because that's where things are going." Filed under bill de blasio , Coronavirus , Coronavirus in NY , COVID vaccine , mayor bill de blasio , new york city , vaccines , 8/3/21 Share this article: Share this: * Facebook * Twitter * Flipboard * WhatsApp * Email * Copy * Read Next Shocking video shows man thrown from wheelchair, robbed in... Share Selection Trending Now ON NYPOST.COM 1. This story has been shared 199,351 times. 199,351 [yH5BAEAAAA] Meghan Markle gives first glimpse of Prince Harry with daughter Lilibet 2. This story has been shared 186,979 times. 186,979 [yH5BAEAAAA] 'Bulls--t' sneaker controversy explodes after 'best race in Olympic history' 3. This story has been shared 88,444 times. 88,444 [yH5BAEAAAA] Simone Biles reveals family tragedy after dramatic Olympic return 4. 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