De Blasio: New York City Eyeing Vaccine Mandate for Indoor Dining

 New York City could soon impose a vaccine mandate in bars and restaurants for people wanting to dine or drink indoors.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said on "CNN Newsroom" that "all options are on the table" given the spread of the delta variant and rise of COVID-19 cases.

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"I keep saying we're climbing the ladder in terms of more and more mandates, tougher and tougher measures to make sure people are vaccinated," he said.

The mayor said indoor mask mandates could be a possibility again, "but we have to make sure everything we do supports vaccination." While indoor mask mandates will be addressed soon, de Blasio said the most important thing at the moment is getting people vaccinated against the virus.

Earlier this week, de Blasio announced a mandate for city workers, requiring all municipal employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing.

As for who would implement a vaccination requirement for indoor diners, de Blasio said he believes that would fall to the city's Department of Health.

"The Health Department, which especially in an emergency situation like this, has very real powers. Any kind of public health issue could be addressed and we're looking at all those options," de Blasio added. "We need mandates. We've got to show people this is the only way forward – to get vaccinated."

While the mayor weighed a citywide decision, Danny Meyer, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, announced on Thursday that all employees and people wishing to dine and drink indoors at the group's full-service restaurants in New York City and Washington, D.C., will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Following the announcement, de Blasio said the city "fully supports this move."

"More businesses should mandate vaccines for the safety of workers and the safety of our city," he added.

Broadway, which is set to reopen in September, followed suit, announcing on Friday that all 41 of its theaters will require showgoers, staff and crew to be vaccinated. Additionally, masks will be required unless eating or drinking or in designated locations.

Guests will be required to show proof of vaccination at their time of entry into the theater with their ticket. The policy will be enforced through October and could be relaxed for future performances "if the science dictates."

"What's going to happen bluntly is that folks who are vaccinated are going to be able to experience all the things they love in life ... and folks who are not vaccinated are going to find too many things that they want to do, they can't do unless they are vaccinated," de Blasio said. "That has to be the reality because people will respond to that. … if they can't do the things they want to do, they will find their way to vaccination."

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-07-30/de-blasio-new-york-city-eyeing-vaccine-mandate-for-indoor-dining