Sign of things to come? New York City to require vaccination for indoor activities, restaurants, gyms

New York will require proof of vaccination for workers and customers who want to participate in indoor activities including dining in restaurants, working out in gyms and attending theater performances, Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced Tuesday.

The policy is one of the first of its kind in the United States and comes amid a nationwide spike in COVID-19 infections, driven largely by the spread of the delta variant in people who are unvaccinated.

The “Key to NYC Pass” program will begin Aug. 16, and enforcement will begin Sept. 13, de Blasio said during a news conference.

“It’s time for people to see vaccination as literally necessary for living a good, full and healthy life,” he said. “If you’re unvaccinated, unfortunately, you will not be able to participate in many things.”

While New York is the first U.S. city to institute a municipal vaccine passport, the state developed its own “Excelsior Pass” mobile app, which debuted in March.

Biden weighs in: President Biden was asked about the policy after a speech on Tuesday. While initially saying he supports the idea, Biden then said he thinks states and cities should empower private businesses rather than making the requirements on their own.