NYC to impose vaccine mandate on private sector employers. When it starts

New York City employers will have to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for their workers later this month.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the vaccine mandate for private businesses will take effect Dec. 27 and is aimed at preventing a spike in the virus during the holiday season and the colder months, the Democratic mayor said on MSNBC's “Morning Joe.”

The outgoing Democratic mayor said vaccine mandates work: The city has the lowest COVID rates in the state.

"The fact that this is universal — and this would be my advice to mayors, governors, CEOs all over the country — use these vaccine mandates," he said on the show.

"And the more universal they are, the more likely employees will say okay, it’s time, I’m going to do this. Because you can’t jump from one industry to another or one company to another, it’s something that needs to be universal to protect all of us."

Vaccinations are already required for hospital and nursing home workers and city employees including teachers, police officers and firefighters. A vaccination mandate for employees of private and religious schools was announced last week.

The city said it will issue additional enforcement and "reasonable accommodation guidance" next week, as well as additional resources to support small businesses.

Proof of vaccination includes a CDC issued vaccination card, the New York State Excelsior Pass, the Clear Health Pass and the NYC COVID Safe App.

The city said it has administered over 12.5 million vaccination doses, which comes to 89% of adults in New York City.

The city was moving to impose the mandate on private sector businesses even as federal courts have temporarily blocked an attempt by President Joe Biden to do the same nationally for larger companies.

De Blasio said he expects the new mandate to survive any legal challenges.

Current New York City COVID-19 rules also include at least one vaccine dose for indoor restaurant dining, entertainment venues and fitness centers.

Under new mandates for indoor dining, entertainment and gyms, two shots will be required for people over 12. One shot will be required for children aged 5 to 11, who are not covered by the current mandate, de Blasio said.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin ripped the policy.

“When you dangerously combine a far-left, lame duck politician, who is anti-business, one-dimensional, unaccountable, not bright and has a perpetual ‘I always know best’ attitude, you get Bill de Blasio, the Worst Mayor in America," Zeldin said.

"There is no way this job killing, small business suppressing mandate is legal.”

Mandates on businesses in New York have largely been upheld by the courts. For example, the state as a whole requires all health-care workers to be vaccinated.

Includes reporting by The Associated Press.

More: NY COVID-19 vaccine mandate reduced health care workforce by 3%. Here's the biggest impact

More: Some NY counties lagging behind in COVID-19 vaccinations for ages 5 to 11. Here’s where

Joseph Spector is the Government and Politics Editor for the USA TODAY Network's Atlantic Group, overseeing coverage in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. He can be reached at JSPECTOR@Gannett.com or followed on Twitter: @GannettAlbany

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This article originally appeared on New York State Team: NYC to impose vaccine mandate on private sector employers. When it starts