New York City restaurants, gyms, and other indoor venues will soon require proof of COVID-19 vaccination, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday, a new policy meant to boost vaccine uptake and counter the delta variant.
The program, dubbed the “Key to NYC Pass,” will launch on Aug. 16.
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“We’ve got to fight the delta variant and end the COVID era once and for all in this city. That means more and more vaccinations. And we know that strong, clear mandates help,” de Blasio said on Tuesday.
Everyone will have to show proof of vaccination to enter all indoor venues. The mandate will not be enforced until September, though, giving people time to get one or both of their shots. So far, 5 million New Yorkers, roughly 66% of adults, have received at least one dose, de Blasio said on Tuesday.
“We’ll then spend most of the month educating people, going out to businesses, receiving calls from businesses, answering questions and concerns, making sure everyone understands the new approach,” he said. “And then, on Sept. 13 during that week, we’ll begin inspections and enforcement.”
New Yorkers will still be permitted to eat outdoors at restaurants without presenting their vaccination status. Unlike last week’s announcement that city workers will also have the option of providing proof of a negative test, nongovernment employees will not have the same workaround.
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The health pass was modeled after the similar “green pass” that the French and Italian governments, as well as the rest of the European Union, use as proof of vaccination or negative test results. Starting Aug. 6, Europeans will be required to use the green pass to access most cultural or entertainment venues, such as sports stadiums, gyms, and museums. They will also be required to present the certification to eat indoors at restaurants.
