Paul Liotta
Staten Island Advance, N.Y.
NEW YORK — New York City’s municipal workers will need to receive coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations by the time schools reopen in mid-September or face weekly testing, the New York Times reported Monday morning.
The mandate will go into effect Sept. 13, the same day the city’s public schools reopen for the year, and apply to roughly 340,000 workers, including cops, teachers, and firefighters.
Mayor Bill de Blasio’s press secretary, Bill Neidhardt, shared the Times report on Twitter saying that more would be officially shared during his boss’ 10 a.m. media briefing Monday.
The Delta Variant is deadly and this city is taking it seriously. Today I’m announcing that EVERY City government employee will be required to provide proof of vaccination or submit a weekly #COVID test. Join us at Bronx Borough Hall for more. #InTheBronx https://t.co/G9YsQCmNBP
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) July 26, 2021
On Friday, de Blasio called on all employers to institute similar mandates for their staffs.
“Private employers have often told me that when the city acts, it’s an important signal to the private sector as well. So, let me make the signal explicit,” de Blasio said on the Brian Lehrer radio show. “I’m calling upon all New York City employers, including our private hospitals, move immediately to some form of mandate whatever the maximum you feel you can do.”
The mayor announced a similar policy last week that will require city healthcare workers to get vaccinated or get tested for the coronavirus (COVID-19) weekly beginning Aug. 2.
___
(c)2021 Staten Island Advance, N.Y.