New York City is currently stepping up the pace to get people vaccinated and to prevent a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The city will be the first in the US to require proof of vaccination from people wishing to enter indoor venues like restaurants, bars, stadiums, theaters, cinemas and gyms.
Key to NYC Pass
Officials in New York City are concerned about the potential of a third wave of the pandemic. For this reason, they are putting more pressures on locals to get vaccinated. Following policies introduced in France, Spain and Italy, New York City is launching a new mandate. Dubbed Key to NYC Pass, the initiative is set to encourage people to get vaccinated. It will also reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in crowded indoor spaces, by requiring proof of vaccination from patrons.
Mayor Bill de Blasio gave a press conference on Tuesday morning, where he announced details of the plan. As noted by CBS News, the Key to NYC Pass is set to be introduced on August 16 for a transition period, leading to full enforcement on September 13. Any establishment that is found to not ask for proof of vaccination at their doors will face a fine.
“We’re not going to issue fines before September,” de Blasio said. “It’s pretty straightforward, you check at the door. If they have it, great; if they don’t, turn around.”
How will Key to NYC work?
The new mandate will relate to both residents and tourists, but there is no specific pass or paperwork to carry and it is a simple process. For those resident in New York, they can show their vaccination card at the door, or alternatively upload their vaccination status to the Excelsior Pass smartphone app. Visitors to the city from another state or country can present whatever official vaccination card was issued to them by official health providers.
“As long as the proof is accurate and real, wherever it comes from, that’s all they’ll need to show,” de Blasio added.
Where will you need to show the pass?
At present, the Key to NYC pass will be required at busy indoor spaces that attract crowds, including bars, restaurants, cinemas, theaters, gyms and stadiums. Everyday essential places like grocery shops and shopping malls are excluded from the requirement.
Does the pass apply to children?
Currently, the Key to NYC pass requirement only applies to those who can be vaccinated. Children under the age of 12 will have no problem entering venues. However, de Blasio did add that in the coming months, it is likely that children from five to 11 will be eligible for vaccination.
The mayor explained that the goal is not to exclude anyone who can’t be vaccinated. He said, “Everyone in New York City 12 and older will now have a very clear standard to meet. If they want to do any of these activities indoors, they’ll need to be vaccinated.”
When de Blasio was asked if other new mandates are to be introduced, he explained that the approach to managing the pandemic is “vaccine-centric” for now. He said New York isn’t planning to introduce additional measures like mask mandates. The mayor explained that he wants to “show very bluntly” that life is better when you are vaccinated. He added that people who are not vaccinated will have “fewer opportunities.”
To recap, the Key to NYC Pass will be introduced on August 16 for a transition period, with full enforcement in place on September 13.
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