Get COVID Vaccine Or No Spaghetti For You, Says City

HOBOKEN, NJ — As COVID cases ramp up around the county due to the swiftly spreading Delta variant, organizers of two annual events based in Hoboken have said that attendees will need to show proof of a vaccine to enter this year. The annual Propelify Innovation Festival (a tech event held each October) and a traditional community dinner — the Hoboken Spaghetti Block Party — both announced the new requirement this month.

When the city of Hoboken originally sent out information last month on registration for the annual Block Party Dinner, they didn't have a vaccine requirement in place. But at the time, the city's hospital was treating zero coronavirus patients. This week, the city announced that the local hospital was treating seven people for coronavirus (all unvaccinated), four of whom are Hoboken residents. Around the country, COVID hospitalizations are up, causing some facilities to run out of beds.

Propelify is a tech and ideas festival held on Hoboken's piers each year that usually attracts more than 5,000 people. This year, the festival will be held uptown in Maxwell Park instead, but organizers still expect more than 5,000 attendees. For the Oct. 6 event, TechUnited New Jersey sent out a letter this week about the requirement, according to NJ.com. CEO Aaron Price told the outlet, "As a leader in the tech community, we follow science and want to make sure we create the safest environment for our visitors."

The Spaghetti Block Party Dinner is a community gathering in which people fill their plates buffet-style and sit at long tables on the waterfront. The event often attracts local political organizations, individuals, and families.

"Tickets are available online at http://hobokennj.gov/register until Aug. 16," the city noted this week. "To enter, attendees need a ticket and proof of vaccination if they are 12 years old or older or a face mask if they are under the age of 12."

The city Tweeted the requirement as well:

One councilwoman, Tiffanie Fisher, questioned the need, noting that the event is outdoors. "I 100% support COVID vax & feel all should get it, but seems to be a step way too far & inconsistent w/CDC guidelines & NJ regs," she Tweeted, asking if Gov. Phil Murphy was OK with the move. She called it "Just another headline grab for Ravi Bhalla."

The vaccine is still 95 percent effective against the virus, according to medical professionals, and for the vaccinated people who have "breakthrough cases," there is a lower chance of hospitalization or death.

More than 617,000 Americans have now died from COVID (see which states have the highest recent death rates here), a 10,000 increase from two weeks ago. Most of those hospitalized with the virus are unvaccinated, say officials at the hospitals.

• READ MORE: 4 Things To Know About The Delta Variant Of Coronavirus In NJ
• READ MORE: NJ Mom Urges: Please Listen to COVID 'Long-Haulers'

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