New York City First In Nation To Implement Vaccine Requirements For Indoor Activities

They are calling it the Key to NYC Pass. It is the program unveiled by Mayor Bill de Blasio that requires patrons of restaurants, gyms, theaters and other indoor activity venues to show proof of at least one dose of the vaccine to enter and utilize the facilities.

While the program does not include the launch of a new app or passport, it can be linked to the state’s Excelsior pass, which allows businesses to scan a QR code provided by the patrons that show their vaccination status. It can also be linked to the new NYC COVID Safe app, which is merely a place to store photos of vaccine records and photo identifications. For those who do not use either app, they must produce a CDC card to prove that they have received the immunization.

“The goal here is to convince everyone that this is the time. We’re going to stop the delta variant,” de Blasio said during a Tuesday press conference. “That means getting vaccinated right now.”

“If you are unvaccinated, unfortunately, you will not be permitted to participate in many activities….it is time for people to see vaccination as literally necessary to living a good and full and healthy life,” de Blasio said.

In other words, starting on September 13th, otherwise healthy New Yorkers who choose to remain unvaccinated will not be able to eat in a restaurant, go to a gym or engage in many other indoor activities, even if they have never had the virus, even if they have not previously contracted or currently have the virus.

The details of how this new implementation will be enforced or what the punitive actions will be were not released. Will you simply be asked to leave the premises, or will they immediately call law enforcement to issue a citation? The only thing stated so far is that meeting these requirements will allow businesses to stay open. Violation could lead them to having their doors closed.

The message from New York City leadership is clear: If you want to live a normal life, then by all means, take this experimental drug. If not, we will relegate you to second-class citizenry.

Will this new requirement keep any of you from visiting the Big Apple? Let us know in the comments below.