This new vaccine requirement is in addition to the City’s existing COVID-19 vaccination mandate for establishments providing indoor dining, gyms, theaters and other entertainment services. Mayor de Blasio cited the combination of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant and holiday gatherings as the motivation for this mandate.
The Mayor’s announcement indicated that the vaccine requirement will apply to in-person employees. Unlike the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), the New York City requirement will not have a weekly testing option. Additional details have not yet been published; however, Mayor de Blasio’s office has said that the city will release more information on December 15, 2021.
McDermott is closely tracking these developments, and this article will be updated as more details are released.
