NYC will require proof of vaccination for indoor dining and gyms

This new requirement will be implemented gradually over several weeks during August and September to reduce the number of cases from the delta variant. The proof of having received at least one dose will be required.

De Blasio stated that vaccinating is the only way to be allowed indoors. "The goal is to convince everyone that now is the right time. The time to end the delta variant is now. This means that you need to get vaccinated now.

The Democrat stated that there are still details to be finalized, including rules affecting children younger than 12 years old who are not eligible for vaccines. Although the policy will be in effect from Aug. 16, inspections and enforcement will not begin until September 13, when the city's public schools reopen in the fall.

Along with city and state apps, vaccination cards will be accepted to prove inoculation.

De Blasio has focused on getting as many New Yorkers vaccinated as possible while resisting calls to mandate masks indoors, as several cities and counties in California have done.

De Blasio said Monday he was making "a strong recommendation" that everyone wear a mask in public indoor settings but stressed that the city's "overwhelming strategic thrust" remained getting more people vaccinated.

De Blasio was asked Tuesday about a mandate for masks. He said that all options were open to him, but that his city policy is "vaccine-centric."

He said, "Right now, what we want is people getting vaccinated and, very bluntly showing that life is better when you are vaccinated." You can accomplish so much more if you are vaccinated. You are more free when you are vaccinated. If you're not, you have fewer options and fewer chances.

The mayor announced last week that city employees would be required to get vaccinated by mid-September or to face weekly testing, and he has offered a $100 incentive for city residents who get inoculated.

De Blasio stated Tuesday that he does not believe checking vaccination status should make it too difficult for businesses. Businesses already have to show diners and take tickets.

Some restaurateurs disagreed.

Seongmin Jun, Dear Han Cafe's manager, was curious about how he would manage the café's frequent rush of customers and check their vaccinations while also serving as the cafe’s sole barista.

Will customers be offended if they check if they have COVID vaccines? Jun stated, "I don't know how or if I will be able to do it."

The coffee shop was opened months before the pandemic hit early last year.

Jun stated that "they're making things too difficult for businesspeople," but acknowledged that there must be a way to control the spread of the disease. "I understand what they're trying to say, however, there must be another way of reducing the number of cases.

Sean Ogs, the manager of Woodside Cafe in Queens said that he was shocked to hear about the new vaccine mandate.

"We have been through a lot. Ogs stated that she doesn't know how to handle it. It'll be more work. It will make it impossible.

Debbie McCarthy, a Woodside Cafe customer, was unvaccinated and was denied entry to several establishments.

McCarthy said McCarthy was surprised that they would do this. McCarthy said she had recovered from COVID-19 several months ago and believes her natural immune system will protect her from future infections. "Why are they so afraid people who have not been vaccinated?" "I think we should have a choice."

Scientists recommend vaccination for people who have had the virus, saying it's unclear how long immunity without vaccination for those who have recovered would last.

Andrew Rigie, the executive director of NYC Hospitality Alliance, a restaurant association, stated that he supports the new policy.

Rigie stated in a statement that while mandating vaccine requirements for restaurant employees and customers is difficult, it may prove to be an important step to protect public health and ensure that New York City doesn't revert back to restrictions or shut down orders that would devastate small businesses still recovering from the pandemic.

Bill Zanker, owner of a fitness studio, said that he supports the new policy. However, it is another obstacle after a long period of coronavirus shut down.

"We have to encourage people getting vaccinated. "We're happy that we enforce that," Zanker, CEO of GRIT BXNG in Manhattan, said. The studio offers boxing-related workouts as well as a full bar. "Unfortunately, it'll affect the business again."

The studio was only open for seven months until the outbreak in March 2020. GRIT has been checking patrons' vaccination status since reopening in May. They offer classes for people who have not had their face covered, and others that are only open to those with a valid certificate. He said that 25% of patrons were not vaccinated.

Major theatres, such as the Metropolitan Opera and Broadway Theaters, have already stated that patrons will need to be vaccinated.

According to official data, 66% of New York City's adults are fully vaccinated.

On Monday, the U.S. reached President Joe Biden's goal of getting at least one COVID-19 shot into 70% of American adults -- a month late and amid a surge by the delta variant that is overwhelming hospitals and prompting renewed pandemic regulations around the country.