New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams announced that he will keep Bill de Blasio’s mandate that requires public and private employers require workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Mayor-elect Eric Adams held a news conference unveiling his plans to combat COVID in New York City as he prepares to take office this weekend.
He was joined by current Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi and incoming Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan.
After weeks of speculation over how he would handle the new rule, Mayor-elect Eric Adams announced Thursday that the city’s new coronavirus vaccine mandate for the private sector will stay in place for the foreseeable future as omicron continues to drive up infection and hospitalization rates
The private sector mandate — first announced by Mayor de Blasio in early December — took effect Monday, and Adams has been evasive on whether he would keep the new rule in place once he takes over the reins at City Hall.
Adams also said he does not want to take a “heavy-handed” approach in fining businesses that are refusing to comply.
Still, Adams said businesses owners who are flagrantly violating the rule can face fines.
In addition to keeping the private sector rule, Adams said his health team is exploring a coronavirus vaccine mandate for students and staff at public schools, though he acknowledged Gov. Kathy Hochul would need to sign off on such a policy.
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