NYC's Indoor Vaccine Mandate Now Set To Start Tuesday: Mayor

NEW YORK, NY — New Yorkers will need to show proof of a coronavirus vaccination when heading to restaurants, gyms and other indoor activities starting Tuesday, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The "Key to NYC" vaccine mandate, originally set to launch Monday, will officially begin Tuesday, Aug. 17 for customers and workers in a sweeping set of indoor activities including bars, movie theaters, museums and other entertainment destinations.

The requirements come as city officials try to quell the spread of the more-contagious delta variant though encouraging more New Yorkers to get vaccinated against the virus.

"I am absolutely certain this is going to motivate a lot of people to get vaccinated," de Blasio said Monday.

De Blasio first announced the vaccine mandate earlier this month, saying it would launch Aug. 16. He brushed off confusion about the start date on Monday, saying the idea was always to have it start the "week of Aug. 16."

"We needed to get a few more fine tunings going there," he said when asked about the apparent delay. "We wanted to get the word out today, put everything out there, and start it formally tomorrow."

The vaccine mandate — which will start with a "grace period" focused on helping businesses get used to the rules — will require customers to bring their physical vaccine card or show a photo of it through the NYC COVID Safe App or the state Excelsior Pass.

The first few weeks will include a $10-million ad campaign about the rules and outreach to businesses who might need help putting it in place.

Inspections and enforcement surrounding the restrictions will begin after the grace period on Sept. 13.

Small businesses will face a fine of $1,000 or more if they are found not complying with the rules after that date.

Officials will also be on the lookout for customers using fake vaccine cards, an offense that could carry up to a seven-year prison sentence, according to the mayor.

"We won’t hesitate to give penalties, but we certainly hope to not have to do that often," de Blasio said.

New Yorkers can find more information about the vaccine mandate here.