▲ New York Mayor Bill de Blasio
New York City has announced that private businesses will be required to vaccinate against COVID-19.
New York City previously implemented mandatory vaccination measures in the public sector, such as police, firefighters, and teachers, to prevent the spread of Omicron, a new variant of COVID-19, and this is to be extended to the private sector.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio appeared on local TV and said, "The Omicron mutation has come this far and it appears to be very contagious."
Mayor de Blasio emphasized the background of the expansion of the system, saying, "There are variables such as cold weather and year-end holiday gatherings."
In addition, Mayor de Blasio added that children between the ages of 5 and 11 must also be vaccinated to enter restaurants, concert halls and gyms starting from the 1st.
Adults have been able to enter multi-use facilities with just the first vaccination, but from the 27th, the standard will be strengthened to two or more vaccinations.
In New York City, 90% of adults have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and local media believe that this is not enough to prevent a winter re-spread.
There are still only eight cases of Omicron mutation in New York State, but overall, the number of COVID-19 infections is on the rise again.
Recently, New York City averaged more than 1,500 new cases per day, a surge of more than 75% since November 1.
However, there is also the prospect that strong opposition and litigation are likely to continue.
In fact, the Biden federal government's executive order, which previously mandated vaccines for businesses with 100 or more employees, has been put on hold by a court decision to suspend.
Mayor de Blasio said he was "confident" and that "New York City's vaccine mandate will survive any lawsuit."
(Photo = Getty Images Korea)