NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday announced that New Yorkers will now need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to enter indoor businesses including bars, restaurants, movie theaters, and gyms.
"The key to NYC pass" will launch on August 16 and will be enforced starting September 13, according to the mayor.
This is a marvelous place," de Blasio said. "If you're unvaccinated, unfortunately, you will not be able to participate in many things and that's the point we're trying to get across."
The vaccine mandate will be required for both employees and customers and will not be needed for outdoor dining.
"It's time for people to see vaccination as literally necessary to living a good and full and healthy life," he added.
New York City will be the first in the nation to implement the vaccine requirement in an attempt to curb a surge of COVID-19 cases linked to the delta variant.
“We have to do something different if we want to make an impact,” de Blasio said.