All municipal workers for the City of New York will now be required to get vaccinated or submit to weekly coronavirus tests, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday.
With the delta variant of the virus pushing the case number up, the mayor said it was time to take further steps to enhance the COVID safety protocols. "This is about our recovery. This is about what we need to do to bring back New York City," de Blasio said. "If someone is unvaccinated, unfortunately, they pose a threat to themselves but they also have a greater chance of spreading the disease."
Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi said this is not just about beating COVID, it's specifically about defeating the delta variant.
"In so many cases over the past 18 months, the helpers have been city staff, whether it's foster care workers, first responders, or teachers," Chokshi said. "We need these individuals to continue to serve and to do so in the safest way possible."