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As new COVID cases increase in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio began his final week as mayor watching a broad COVID vaccine mandate for private employers take effect.
All employees were required to receive at minimum one dose by December. 31 according to business owners. 27. Workers won’t have the option to opt out of vaccines as the proposed federal mandates for employees in the private sector would permit. Municipal workers already had a vaccine mandate.
De Blasio said it was the strongest private sector vaccine mandate in the world. He insists that it’s absolutely essential.
“I am 110 percent convinced this was the right decision, remains the right thing to do especially with the intensity of Omicron,” the mayor spoke to reporters on Monday. “I do not know if there is an alternative to this, but I do know that the best defense is to have everyone vaccinations. Mandates have worked.”
It’s not clear if de Blasio’s successor, Mayor-Elect Eric Adams, will continue the mandate to get vaccines. The New York Times reported that Adams his spokesperson, Evan Thies, said in a tweet: “The mayor-elect will make announcements regarding his administration’s Covid policy this week.”
De Blasio said enforcement would be low in the initial week. Every business owner may not be complying with the law.
The New York Post stated that Stratis Morfogen (owner of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, executive director of the Brooklyn Chop House) went on Instagram to challenge Gov. Kathy Hochul to come and arrest him.
“Not going to comply with your order to threaten my family of employees to get the jab or lose your job!” He said.
Morfogen stated that he is not against vaccines however, he believes that the mandate is in violation of the constitutional rights of his employees. He said he’s taken more steps to ensure safety, such as regular testing of employees.
Union Square Hospitality Group CEO Danny Meyer, who oversees restaurants like Union Square Cafe and Blue Smoke Blue Smoke, not only requires employees to be vaccinated, but also to receive the booster as well.
Meyer explained to CNBC that hospitality is an activity that is played by teams. It’s similar to staging the stage for a Broadway performance or playing a basketball game. You’ll have to pause in the event that you don’t have a healthy team.
Union Square Hospitality Group restaurants customers will soon be required to prove they have received a booster shot.
Also , beginning Dec. 27 the New Yorkers of older than 12 must prove that they’ve received two doses vaccine to be allowed into indoor eating, fitness, entertainment and performance venues, unless they’ve gotten the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Sources
New York City government. “Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Holds Media Availability”
The New York Post: “NYC restaurateurs are having mixed reactions to COVID-19’s vaccination mandate”
CNBC: “Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group will require boosters for diners, workers and workers.”
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