If you’re planning on hitting a concert in New York City anytime soon, you will have to prove that you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Mayor Bill de Blasio revealed that New York City would become the first city in the United States to require proof of vaccination for a number of activities, as reported by The New York Times. These “activities” include indoor dining, gyms….and concerts.
It appears that there will be no option to display a recent negative COVID-19 test result instead of proof of vaccination. These new requirements are expected to roll out later this month, beginning Aug. 16, before taking full effect on Sept. 13.
“It’s time for people to see vaccination as literally necessary to living a good and full and healthy life,” the mayor said during a press conference. “Not everyone is going to agree with this, I understand that. But for so many people, this is going to be a lifesaving act, that we are putting a mandate in place that is going to guarantee a much higher level of vaccination. … That is the key to protecting people [and to] our recovery.”
How will the New York City vaccine mandate work? A city-issued health pass called the “Key to NYC Pass” will allow a vaccinated person to provide their proof of vaccination where required. The Key to NYC pass will be available to access via a new digital app, as well as the state’s Excelsior app. The paper card proving vaccination can also reportedly be used the same way.
Mayor de Blasio remains seemingly reluctant to issue new mask mandates in NYC, however he still presumably anticipates the virus to make a renewed attack as many return to in-person work.
Broadway theaters already instituted vaccine requirements for patrons of the city’s plays, as Consequence noted. The citywide mandate and Key to NYC Pass will make it a blanket obligation. (Outdoor dining won’t fall under the new guidelines.)
“We think it is so important to make clear that if you are vaccinated, you get to benefit in all sorts of ways,” de Blasio added. “You get to live a better life. Besides your health in general, you get to participate in many, many things. And if you’re unvaccinated, they are going to be fewer and fewer things that you’re able to do.”
Vaccination efforts in the U.S. continue, however around half of the country’s total population remains unvaccinated as more easily transmissible variants of COVID-19 have emerged.