Another sign the world is moving on from COVID-19: Mayor Eric Adams has announced New York City’s vaccine mandate for city employees will come to an end on Friday.
Breaking News: Mayor Eric Adams said he was ending a contentious coronavirus vaccine mandate this week for New York City employees. The requirement led to a 96% vaccination rate, but also prompted hundreds of municipal workers to be fired. https://t.co/WZ4nxc0lSp
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 6, 2023
From the New York Times:
“With more than 96 percent of city workers and more than 80 percent of New Yorkers having received their primary Covid-19 series and more tools readily available to keep us healthy, this is the right moment for this decision,” Mr. Adams said in a statement.
Starting Friday, Mr. Adams said that vaccination for the coronavirus would become optional for current and prospective city workers. Visitors to city schools will also no longer be required to provide proof of at least one dose of the vaccine to enter.
The vaccine mandate for city workers was set in October 2021 by former Mayor Bill de Blasio and was one of the most aggressive steps in the nation to increase vaccination rates. It prompted hundreds of workers to be fired and a series of lawsuits.
Read the full report here.
With more than 96 percent of city workers and more than 80 percent of New Yorkers having received their primary #COVID19 series and more tools readily available to keep us healthy, the #COVID19 Vaccination Will Become Optional for City Workers.
Read more: https://t.co/OSuNs7Deku
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) February 6, 2023
Related: Supreme Court Blocks COVID Vaccine Requirement For Large Businesses