Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group to demand diners inside show proof of Covid shots



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Danny Meyer’s Union Square hotel group will demand that diners and drinkers inside its restaurants show they have been vaccinated against Covid. The mandate also applies to current employees and new recruits.

The announcement, which Meyer made on CNBC’s “Squawk Box”, comes amid concerns about the rise of the highly contagious delta variant and US officials attempt to combat the reluctance and resistance to the Covid vaccine in some Americans.

“It’s the most logical thing I’ve ever seen,” Meyer said. “I’m not a scientist, but I can read the data and what I see is that this is a crisis of people who have not been vaccinated, and I feel a strong responsibility, on our part as business leaders, to take care of our team and our guests, and that’s what we do. “

Meyer, founder of Shake Shack and chairman of the board of the fast casual chain, said the company would establish its own vaccine policy. “Shake Shack will make the right decision for them at the appropriate time,” he said.

At Union Square Hospitality Group, the “vast majority” of workers are already vaccinated, Meyer said, adding that the company is offering eight hours of pay per Covid shot.

“We’re going to give our employees 45 days to make their choice and hopefully that’s the incentive that really gets them to say, ‘You know what, now I’m going to do it. “”

Union Square Hospitality Group has a strong presence in New York City and its restaurants include Gramercy Tavern, Manhatta, and Union Square Cafe. She also operates Anchovy Social in Washington, DC

Recently, a number of government and private sector entities have tightened vaccine requirements for employees in recent days, steps some believe are critical to boosting the vaccination rate in the United States after it dramatically increased. slowed down from its spring peak.

About 57% of the U.S. population has received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine and 49.3% are fully vaccinated, according to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Coronavirus cases have increased in recent weeks, prompting the CDC to reverse the course of its previous mask guidelines. The public health agency is now recommending that fully vaccinated Americans in places with high Covid infection rates resume wearing face covers indoors.

When asked how he would advise other business leaders on Covid vaccination policy, Meyer said: “I think every business has to make its own decisions, and we are proud of the one we make. this moment.”

The restaurateur said he was lucky his business was based in New York City, where government officials support strict vaccine requirements. He noted that states such as Florida have passed laws prohibiting businesses and government entities from requiring proof of Covid vaccination.

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