New York City to require vaccination for indoor activities, restaurants, gyms

New York City will require proof of vaccination for workers and customers who want to participate in indoor activities including dining in restaurants, working out in gyms and attending theater performances, Mayor Bill de BlasioBill de BlasioThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – White House, Dems play blame game over evictions New York state teacher’s union opposes staff vaccine mandates Cuomo asks businesses to go to ‘vaccine-only admission’ MORE (D) announced Tuesday.

The policy, which appears to be the first of its kind in the United States, comes amid a nationwide spike in COVID-19 infections, driven largely by the spread of the delta variant in people who are unvaccinated.

The “Key to NYC Pass” program will begin Aug. 16 and enforcement will begin Sept. 13, de Blasio said during a news conference.

“It’s time for people to see vaccination as literally necessary for living a full and happy life,” de Blasio said.

While New York City appears to be the first city instituting a municipal vaccine passport, the state developed its own mobile app, which debuted in March. Private businesses, including sports arenas and concert halls, that wanted to require proof of vaccination could use the app, called the Excelsior Pass.

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While other major cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., have all recently reimposed mask mandates, de Blasio has expressed a reluctance to require them.