Proof of vaccination will be required in New York to access the interior of restaurants, sports halls and entertainment venues, Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday (August 3). New York thus becomes the first city in the United States to create a vaccination passport.
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This device, called “Key to NYC pass”, “Will require the vaccination of employees and customers of indoor restaurants, sports halls and theaters”, explained the mayor during a press point, specifying that it would be necessary “At least one dose” vaccine. “If you are vaccinated (…), you have the key, you can open the door. But if you are not vaccinated, unfortunately you will not be able to participate in many activities ”added Bill de Blasio.
First checks from September 13
He said the device, which to some extent resembles the health pass put in place in France in August, would be launched in New York on August 16, but that the first checks to enforce it would take place from September 13. For the past two weeks, the mayor and the governor of the state of New York, Andrew Cuomo, have multiplied the announcements to strengthen the vaccination of officials and recommend the wearing of masks.
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If some unions have criticized this new measure, the New York association of restaurateurs, the New York City Hospitality Alliance, welcomed it. This will “Pose economic and logistical challenges” to restaurants, but could help “Ensure that New York is not again under the blow of restrictions and closures, which would devastate small businesses”, she said in a statement.
Epidemic revival
After getting off to a flying start, the US vaccination campaign has slowed down especially in the traditionally conservative regions of the South and Midwest, as well as among the youngest, impoverished, and ethnic minority populations. This delay, combined with the proliferation of the Delta variant, has exploded the average number of daily cases, which now exceeds 70,000 and is increasing rapidly.
The United States has, however, seen a rebound in the vaccination rate in recent weeks, and reached the rate of 70% of adults on Monday who received at least one dose of the vaccine, almost a month after the target date set by Joe. Biden. “Vaccinate America and help vaccinate the world, this is how we are about to conquer”, launched the president Tuesday during a speech at the White House, evoking a “Pandemic of the unvaccinated”.
In New York, a city of more than 8 million people, 71.8% of adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to city hall figures.
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