(Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)
In a stunning and controversial announcement, outgoing New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a “preemptive strike,” by mandating all private employers in New York City to get their workers vaccinated. He attributed the decision due to the potential spread of the new Omicron variant. The edict is scheduled to take effect on December 27.
De Blasio added that there are also concerns that the upcoming holiday, with traveling, visiting people and holding parties, along with New York’s notorious cold, icy and snowy winters, could cause New Yorkers to catch Covid-19, especially the new Omicron variant. He said on MSNBC, “Omicron is here, and it looks like it’s very transmissible. The timing is horrible with the winter months.”
The mandate is broad and covers around 184,000 businesses. As opposed to President Joe Biden’s orders back in September, which was temproty halted due to legal challenges, de Blasio is not offering a weekly testing option to the unvaccinated. People must have at least one dose by de Blasio’s due date.
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Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi outlined the agenda in a twitter thread.
In another major decision, the soon-departing mayor said that children from the age of five to 11 must have at least one jab to patron restaurants, theaters and entertainment establishments, commencing on December 14. Requirements for adults will be increased to two doses by December 27. The exception will be for people who took the one shot offered by Johnson & Johnson.
The mayor’s directives call for everyone 12 years of age and older to show their proof of two vaccine doses to participate in dining at an eating establishment, gym or fitness center and other types of indoor recreational outings.
De Blasio contends that the first-of-its-kind mandate would help avoid another round of shutdowns, and save lives. There is no word yet about legal challenges. The incoming new mayor, Eric Adams, is on vacation and has not responded to de Blasio’s mandate.
The New York Times reported that Evan Thies, a spokesman for Adams, said, “The mayor-elect will evaluate this mandate and other Covid strategies when he is in office and make determinations based on science, efficacy and the advice of health professionals.”
While health and safety is the biggest priority, many business leaders may be concerned about how to enforce this policy. There is also fear that a recovering New York City may lose business opportunities, as tourists and people who traditionally visit the City from nearby suburbs, cities and states will avoid the Big Apple for the foreseeable future. They’ll alter their holiday vacations, attendance at sporting events, shows and concerts and shopping excursions to other less restrictive locations.
Companies may have to readjust their return-to-the-office plans once again. It seems likely that both employees and management would elect to continue working remotely rather than risk coming into the City, given the concerns over the various variants and vaccine requirements.
It may take some time for corporate executives to sort out the ramifications of this new program. Given that the holiday season is traditionally slow to hire, as potential job hunters are focusing on family, friends, vacations and enjoying the time period, we may see hiring freezes until there is more clarity around the rules and the extent of the Omicron surge.
