NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on Thursday announced he will sign an executive order next week that will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter most indoor establishments.
In a statement, Baraka said he will sign the order on Monday and Newark will begin requiring that anyone attending public New Year’s Eve celebrations in the city show proof of vaccination.
By Jan. 10, anyone entering a facility or business – such as a restaurant, bar, theater or concert venue – must show proof of at least one COVID-19 vaccination dose and be fully vaccinated three weeks later, the mayor added.
“Newark’s latest three-day test positivity rate has spiked to 27.16%,” the mayor said. “Guided by this data, the City of Newark is taking firm and aggressive action to prevent its spread and protect our residents and workers. Newark will continue to meet the challenge of COVID-19 with determination.”
The executive order applies to the following locations:
• Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, including taverns, coffee shops and fast-food establishments that have seating
• Breweries, wineries, and distillery tasting rooms
• Mixed-use facilities
• Food courts
• Indoor entertainment establishments, including nightclubs, hookah bars, pool and billiard halls, and cigar bars
• Concert, and sporting venues
• Movie theaters
• Bowling alleys
• Indoor exercise and recreational establishments, including exercise facilities, dance, yoga, and Pilates studios
• Any facilities used for group fitness classes
• Indoor event and meeting establishments, including hotel common rooms, banquet halls, conference centers meeting facilities, convention centers, auditoriums
• Shared work facilities
The mayor said the proof of vaccination requirement will not apply to individuals entering an establishment for “a quick and limited purpose.” An example provide was picking up an order for takeout or making a food delivery.
People who have a “reasonable accommodation” due to a medical condition or “sincerely held religious belief” are also exempt from the order.
According to the mayor’s office, a variety of locations will not have to require proof of vaccination for its patrons. They are:
• Houses of worship
• Grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and food service establishments providing charitable food services
• Pharmacies, medical offices, urgent care centers, or hospitals
• Hardware stores, and retail establishments where people tend to be in motion and not standing or seated in close proximity to others for long periods of time
• Private meeting spaces in residences or office buildings
• Governmental facilities; warming and cooling centers, day service facilities for homeless persons, shelters serving homeless persons or victims of domestic violence
• Election polling places
• Other facilities as exempted by the Department of Health
This is the second executive order that Mayor Baraka, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, will sign amid a surge in COVID cases.
A previous order signed by Baraka also reinstated an indoor mask mandate in all public facilities. It also required that patrons be seated at a bar and wear masks, unless they are actually eating or drinking.
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