New York City will become the first major U.S. city to require proof of COVID vaccination for customers and staff at restaurants, gyms and other indoor businesses as the country enters a new phase of battling the highly contagious Delta variant. The announcement is the latest in a string of initiatives aimed at encouraging more residents to get vaccinated as the Delta variant spreads in the nation's most populous city. About 60% of all New Yorkers have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to city data. The announcement comes on the heels of several steps taken by city officials to encourage still reluctant residents to get their shots, including a mandate for city employees to get vaccinated or face weekly testing. On Monday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had urged bars, restaurants and other private businesses to require that customers be vaccinated before they can enter.

Source: The Star August 03, 2021 15:11 UTC