New York City will now require proof of vaccination against the novel coronavirus for people to engage in indoor dining, fitness and other experiences in the city.
Will New York City require proof of vaccination?
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday that the city will require COVID-19 vaccine proof for people who want to participate in indoor activities, which includes restaurants, gyms and performance centers, according to The New York Times.
- The mandate also applies to people who work in those locations.
The program begins in August. Enforcement of the rule will begin in the middle of September, which is when New York City schools are set to reopen, per The New York Times.
- “This is crucial because we know it will encourage more vaccinations,” de Blasio said, according to PIX11. “If we’re going to stop the delta variant, the time is now.”
- “We have to do something different if we want to make an impact,” de Blasio said.
What is the ‘Key to NYC Pass’ in New York?
New York City will create a new health pass called the “Key to NYC Pass,” which will show proof of vaccination for workers and customers at gyms, restaurants and entertainment venues, according to The New York Times.
- Still, de Blasio did not issue a mask mandate for New York City.
- He did encourage New Yorkers to wear face masks indoors, especially around people who are not fully vaccinated, according to PIX11.
Will the ‘Key to NYC Pass’ work?
Albert Fox Cahn, of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, recently told WNYC that he uploaded a photo of Mickey Mouse to the app. It approved the picture without verifying it, so there are some security concerns.
- Also, critics will raise questions about civil liberty tied to the vaccine pass, too, per Gothamist.