New York City is the first major U.S. metropolitan area to require vaccinations indoors. It will soon lift its mandate for indoor dining, events, and businesses.
Eric Adams, Mayor of Boston, announced Sunday that his administration would cease requiring vaccine mandates starting Monday, March 7. This is provided that Covid-19 cases do not continue to decline. He joins other public officials who have made similar decisions in cities like Boston and Seattle in recent weeks.
Adams stated that the indoor mask mandate will be lifted in schools on the same day, provided there are no unexpected spikes.
Adams stated that "New York City's numbers are continuing to fall day after day." Adams added that Key2NYC requirements would be lifted on Monday, March 7. As long as COVID indicators do not show high levels of risk, and there are no surprises this week, Adams said. This will allow business owners to adjust and will enable us to make the best public health decisions possible for New Yorkers.
In August, the city mandate was announced. Anyone who wanted to eat or attend indoor events had to present proof of vaccination. At an economic development press conference Wednesday , Adams stated that he was planning to end it. Health experts have given him structure and benchmarks for the city before returning to pre-pandemic norms.
Adams stated, "We cannot close down again" and that he would not do anything at his anticipation to get back that would jeopardize closing the city down again. It's impossible for our economy to handle it. We don't even have $11 billion more to invest in the economy. It is essential that we do it smartly.
New York Governor. Kathy Hochul granted the state's mask policy temporary extension to February due to cases dropping. Also, the mandate was subject to legal challenge.
NBC News was previously warned by public health experts that the pandemic may not be over and that surges have occurred over the past two decades.
"This seems to be a move in favor of normalcy without really being normal," Dr. Sadiya Khan, an Epidemiologist at Northwestern University Feinberg Schools of Medicine, said. "Vaccine mandates can be safe and effective public health strategies and reversing this will only lead to more spread."
Although more than 96% of New York City adults have been vaccinated at least partially, experts warn that there are still risks for those with immunocompromised and who cannot be vaccinated.
As Pfizer has stopped asking for authorization at the Federal Drug Administration, it is still waiting for additional data about a possible three-dose series.
