OPINION | This article contains opinion. This site is licensed to publish this content.
Democrat-run New York City is doubling down on instituting overly restrictive coronavirus-related policies.
It appears many Americans may choose to avoid the city altogether for the foreseeable future.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a new mandate that all private-sector employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Going a step further, New York City will be requiring proof of vaccination for indoor dining, fitness and entertainment, which includes children ages 5 to 11.
Kids will need to show proof of one vaccination in order to participate in “high-risk extracurricular activities,” such as sports, band, orchestra, and dance.
.@NYCMayor discusses new Covid expansions in the city pic.twitter.com/aKsUjkStNP
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) December 6, 2021
In an announcement, de Blasio cited the new omicron variant as a factor in the new requirements.
De Blasio failed to address how that the CEO of Moderna admits the coronavirus vaccine will likely not be effective against the omicron variant.
Stéphane Bancel told the Financial Times, “I think it’s going to be a material drop. I just don’t know how much because we need to wait for the data.”
De Blasio said, “We’ve got omicron as a new factor, we’ve got the colder weather, which is going to really create additional challenges with the delta variant, we’ve got holiday gatherings.”
“We in NYC have decided to use a preemptive strike to really do something bold to stop the further growth of COVID,” de Blasio said.
“We’re going to have other measures as well to focus on maximizing vaccinations quickly, so we can get ahead of omicron and all the other challenges we’re facing right now because of COVID,” de Blasio said.
In South Africa, a new variation has been identified as “Omicron” by World Health Organization officials. Joe Biden said the new variant is a “cause for concern, not a cause for panic.” In response, Joe Biden announced new travel restrictions on the country of South Africa despite previous comments that such bans by Trump were racist and xenophobic.
The new rules in NYC will go into effect soon.
“Get that shot by 12/14 for our youngest New Yorkers,” de Blasio’s press secretary tweeted.
Breaking from @NYCMayor: New York City is going where no other city has gone as we face Omicron, winter, and the holidays. A first-in-the-nation vaccine mandate for private sector employees beginning 12/27. We’re leading the way and taking bold steps to combat COVID.
— Danielle Filson (@DanielleFilson) December 6, 2021
Breaking from @NYCMayor: New York City is going where no other city has gone as we face Omicron, winter, and the holidays. A first-in-the-nation vaccine mandate for private sector employees beginning 12/27. We’re leading the way and taking bold steps to combat COVID.
— Danielle Filson (@DanielleFilson) December 6, 2021
More from Fox News:
De Blasio also announced 5-11-year-old children will be required to get vaccinated to participate in “high-risk extracurricular activities,” including sports, band, orchestra, and dance. The requirement for the initial vaccine dose is set to take effect on Dec. 14.
De Blasio’s move comes while the Biden administration has faced a string of legal losses over its COVID-19 vaccine mandates, with a number of federal judges across the nation halting the implementation of the rules claiming overreach by the executive branch — as the Justice Department plans to “vigorously defend” the mandates in court.
The Biden administration last month unveiled the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration COVID-19 vaccine rule, which required employers with more than 100 employees to ensure that all workers are either fully vaccinated or subject to weekly testing and mask wearing.
The mandate also hit businesses that fail to comply with fines reaching as much as $14,000 per violation with the potential for multiple citations.
