Around 184,000 companies affected: New York announces compulsory vaccination for the private sector

Around 184,000 companies affected
New York announces mandatory vaccination for the private sector

12/06/2021, 9:23 p.m

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The new corona variant Omicron, the cold weather and the Christmas holidays are prompting the city of New York to take tougher measures. From December 27th, employees in shops and companies must be vaccinated. It is the first mandatory vaccination of its kind in the United States.

In New York, comprehensive vaccinations will apply to all employees in the private sector from the end of December. New York is launching “a preemptive attack” to stop the further spread of the corona virus “and the dangers it poses to all of us,” Mayor Bill de Blasio told MSNBC. The vaccination obligation applies from December 27th.

A general vaccination requirement already applies to city employees. In addition, children would have to be vaccinated for restaurant visits in the future. De Blasio referred to the emergence of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, the cold winter weather and the upcoming holidays as “additional challenges” in the fight against the pandemic. He was “very concerned,” he said, referring to the first confirmed omicron cases in at least 15 US states, including New York.

The vaccination requirement affects around 184,000 New York shops and companies. The order goes further than US President Joe Biden’s nationwide vaccination requirement for companies with more than 100 employees starting in early January. This was temporarily suspended by the courts. Vaccination requirements have a long history in the United States, but are usually enacted by cities or states.

The metropolis of millions was particularly hard hit by the pandemic last year with 34,000 deaths. After that, the big city recovered and was considered a prime example for fighting the virus. In New York, unvaccinated people can no longer sit inside bars or restaurants. Events such as plays, musicals or exhibitions also require appropriate proof.

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