NYC to expand vaccine mandate to the private sector Dec. 27

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday a first-in-nation COVID-19 vaccine mandate on all private workers that will take effect after Christmas, greatly expanding rules that apply to city workers to roughly 184,000 businesses.

Mr. de Blasio will also require proof of vaccination for 5- to 11-year-olds for indoor dining, fitness and entertainment venues — an existing rule for older persons in the city — starting Dec. 14.

Additionally, children of those ages must get vaccinated by Dec. 14 to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, band, orchestra and dance.

“New York City will not give a single inch in the fight against COVID-19. Vaccination is the way out of this pandemic, and these are bold, first-in-the-nation measures to encourage New Yorkers to keep themselves and their communities safe,” said Mr. de Blasio, a Democrat who will leave office at the end of the year.