NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A coalition of New York City gym owners are demanding Mayor Eric Adams drop the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for workout facilities and are calling for federal funding to help their businesses stay afloat.
At a press conference Sunday, Adams was asked if he would consider dropping the vaccine mandate for some businesses, such as gyms, restaurants and bars, to which he responded that the time has not yet come.
“I'm going to go based on advice of my medical experts. We put good people in office so they can give you great information. And so, when they make that determination… I’m going to follow their guidance,” he said.
Adams added that he understands some industries are still struggling to recover from the pandemic shutdown but stressed that everything must have “balance.”
“Just as I'm sitting down with my doctors and medical professionals I'm sitting down with my economists, those who are looking at how do we get our city up and operating,” he said.
But the coalition of gym owners told 1010 WINS on Monday that they feel enough is enough.
“These mandates have gone on long enough. We’re two years in and the industry is still reeling,” said Charles Cassara, the head of United States Fitness Coalition.
The group represents about 12,000 gyms in New York City and Cassara said the owners feel a vaccine mandate is no longer necessary with COVID numbers on the decline.
“You either have to take vaccination cards or you got to tell people you can't come in,” Cassara said. “Regardless of where you fall on these lines, you’re alienating someone.”
The group is also asking the mayor to help advocate for the passage of a U.S. Senate bill that would get gyms federal funding in the way restaurants and bars did.
“Of the three businesses that were federally shut – restaurants entertainment and gyms – two of the three got federal funding,” Cassara said. “The gyms have received nothing.”
He told 1010 WINS that he has contacted the mayor’s office several times in an effort to speak to Adams about these issues, but he has not received any response.
1010 WINS has also reached out for comment.
Related
Related
