New York will have a health pass for those vaccinated in restaurants, gyms and other closed spaces

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday announced the requirement for proof of vaccination to enter confined public spaces like restaurants, gymnasiums, plays, among others.

The measure aims to increase the vaccination rate in the metropolis, which has areas such as the Bronx and Brooklyn where the fully immune population does not reach 50%.

“We know that’s what’s gonna turn the tideDe Blasio said at a press conference.

The plan would begin in a few weeks, with a transition period, to will take full effect in mid-September, when the school year begins and more workers are expected to return to the Manhattan offices.

The initiative, called “Key to NYC Pass” and highlighted by De Blasio as the first in the country, is similar to programs in France and Italy which have sparked strong protests against the government.

Previously, De Blasio had encouraged vaccination with a payment of $ 100 and signed a measure that requires vaccination of local government employees before mid-September or by doing weekly COVID-19 tests. Corn under the new pass, it will not be enough to test negative for COVID to access enclosed spaces.

Although the mayor avoided imposing a mask requirement, he “strongly” urged that even vaccinated people start wearing masks indoors.

The mayor, in a briefing on Monday, said the city’s health officials were following a “data and science” based strategy.

“We thought the right combination was to focus heavily on immunization to keep moving up through the ranks,” by imposing increasing demands on vaccination and sending a very clear message to all New Yorkers by strongly recommending the use of masks, regardless of vaccination status“, He said.

Infection rates have increased across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released guidelines recommending that even vaccinated people wear a mask indoors in areas of the United States where the delta variant causes increased infection. .

Although Gov. Andrew Cumo has said his executive power is limited, he urged private businesses, such as bars and restaurants, to adopt a policy of admitting only those who have been vaccinated and said more hospitals should require workers to be vaccinated. And he said if the number of cases continues to rise, the possibility of forcing vaccination on nursing home workers and teachers should be considered.

Calls for the reactivation of New York’s mask-wearing mandate have intensified as local numbers rise. On average, more than 2,400 people per day tested positive for COVID-19 in New York state over the past week, up from 300 new cases daily at the end of June.. More than two dozen of the state’s 62 counties have met the CDC’s recommended threshold for hiding the interior on Monday.

“Our leaders are moving slowly because the Delta variant does everything but that,” City public defender Jumaane D. Williams said in a prepared statement criticizing his two fellow Democrats. “Waiting to see if the cases go up is like inviting them to do so. We need an indoor mask warrant now, we needed it a week ago before the CDC issued its directive. “

New York City already requires face covering in public schools and on public transportation.

(With AP information)

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