New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced city workers, including police officers and firefighters, must receive COVID-19 vaccination by Nov. 1 or will be placed on unpaid leave.
“We’ve got to end the Covid-era. Our police officers, our EMTs, our firefighters, all our public employees — a lot of them come in very close contact with their fellow New Yorkers,” de Blasio said on MSNBC after announcing the policy.
“They need to be safe. Their families need to be safe, but we also need to reassure all New Yorkers that if you’re working with a public employee, they’re vaccinated. Everyone’s going to be safe.”
The Mandate
The mayor released a statement regarding the vaccine mandate on Oct. 20 saying “a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all City workers. Starting today, City employees will receive an extra $500 in their paycheck for receiving their first shot.”
He added, “This benefit will end at 5pm on Friday, October 29th, by which point City employees are required to have proof of at least one dose. Unvaccinated employees will be placed on unpaid leave until they show proof of vaccination to their supervisor.”
The mandate will apply to the city’s more than 160,000 workers.
All City employees will have to be vaccinated.
This will keep our city safe and healthy, so we can continue to put COVID behind us.
Find a location to get vaccinated at: https://t.co/70EuzR4JOI pic.twitter.com/1wiBS7bysD
— NYC Mayor’s Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) October 20, 2021
“There is no greater privilege than serving the people of New York City, and that privilege comes with a responsibility to keep yourself and your community safe,” de Blasio said in the statement.
“We have led the way against COVID-19 – from fighting for the right to vaccinate frontline workers, to providing nation-leading incentives, to creating the Key to NYC mandate. As we continue our recovery for all of us, city workers have been a daily inspiration. Now is the time for them to show their city the path out of this pandemic once and for all,” he added.
The Response
While many have already been vaccinated, massive protests have also risen up over the mandate.
Protesters gathering in New York City to protest against the vaccine mandate chant “we will not comply”. pic.twitter.com/uWny5ADrJ4
— Marie Oakes (@TheMarieOakes) October 9, 2021
The city will certainly experience some shortages as many will refuse to comply.
A lengthy list has already been put in place by the city. It will likely only grow as the battle over vaccine mandate continues.
The post NYC requires city worker vaccine mandate by Nov. 1 first appeared on Conservative Institute.
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