New York mandates vaccine for private sector; COVID travel rules start
A vaccine mandate for private-sector workers across New York City will take effect this month, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday.
The expansion of de Blasio’s “Key to NYC” vaccination program, effective Dec. 27, will cover 184,000 businesses, he said. 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 mayor announced a series of other new requirements, including an order that 5-to 11-year-old children get vaccinated to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, band, orchestra and dance. The requirement for the initial vaccine dose will take effect on Dec. 14.
“Vaccination is the way out of this pandemic, and these are bold, first-in-the-nation measures to encourage New Yorkers to keep themselves and their communities safe,” de Blasio said in a statement. “No place in the nation has done more to end the COVID era. And, if you have not taken this step yet, there’s no better day than today to stand up for your city.”
Almost 6.5 million New Yorkers – including 89% of adults – have received at least one vaccine dose, the city says.
Also in the news:
►The omicron variant has spread through several regions of England and cases have been detected “with no links to international travel,” British Health Secretary Sajid Javid said.
►Seven additional COVID-19 cases have been identified on a Norwegian Cruise Lines ship that disembarked in New Orleans on Sunday. Ten people aboard Breakaway had tested positive before the ship arrived.
►Japan confirmed on Monday its third case of the new omicron variant, a traveler entering from Italy. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed to take strict measures based on a worst-case scenario of a possible resurgence of infections.
►Argentina has approved Russia’s one-dose Sputnik Light as a standalone vaccine and a booster shot. Argentina was one of the first countries to widely use Russia’s initial, two-dose Sputnik V vaccine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged the World Health Organization to quickly approve Sputnik V and Sputnik Light.
►Delaware saw the highest number of new daily COVID-19 cases since January last week. Recently, state officials warned residents to be cautious again as the state sees an uptick in cases and the country reels from the emergence of the omicron variant.
📈 Today’s numbers: The U.S. has recorded more than 49 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 789,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Global totals: More than 266.2 million cases and 5.2 million deaths. More than 199 million Americans – 60% of the population – are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.
📘 What we’re reading: For most of the past two years, humanity has been adrift in a sea of COVID-19. Now nations are waiting to see if the omicron variant of the coronavirus is just another swell in that sea or a monster wave that will crash down with devastating effect. Coming to terms with this ongoing turbulence will require nimble…
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