San Francisco (AFP)
San Francisco will become the first city in the United States to require the presentation of vaccine proof against Covid-19 for access to certain public places, without the possibility of presenting a negative test, announced Thursday the mayor of this great Californian city.
Bars, restaurants, nightclubs, theaters, and other places of entertainment, as well as sports halls are affected by the measure which will come into force on August 20 for customers and October 13 for staff of establishments.
"Why are we doing this? To protect workers, children, those who cannot be vaccinated," Mayor London Breed told a press conference.
“We know that in order for our city to recover from the pandemic and thrive, we have to use the best method to fight Covid-19, and (that method) is vaccines,” she said.
Children under 12, not currently eligible for vaccination in the United States, are not included in this requirement.
Currently, 77% of San Francisco's nearly 900,000 residents have received at least one dose of an anti-Covid vaccine, and 71% are fully vaccinated.
At a press conference Thursday, White House pandemic coordinator Jeff Zients advocated for mandatory vaccination schemes, especially from employers, which he said "will help keep people will be safe and will help stop the spread of the virus. "
At the beginning of August, New York had become the first American city to create a vaccination passport, which will be launched on August 16.
This device, called "Key to NYC pass", "will require the vaccination of employees and customers of indoor restaurants, sports halls and theaters", explained the Democratic mayor Bill de Blasio, specifying that it would be necessary "at least one dose" of vaccine, although - unlike San Francisco - a negative test could also allow access.
According to local media NOLA.com, the very touristy city of New Orleans in Louisiana, must also announce Thursday the introduction of a vaccine passport for access to its bars and restaurants as well as for certain structures such as the vast stadium canopy of the Superdome.
© 2021 AFP