New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on December 6 that employees (1) not previously covered under the existing “Key to NYC” vaccination requirements and (2) who perform in-person work for private businesses in the city must receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by December 27. The “Key to NYC” requirements currently in place for restaurants, fitness facilities, and entertainment venues have also been expanded to require proof of two doses (for individuals receiving a two-dose series) by that date, where previously only proof of an initial dose was required.
KEY COMPLIANCE DEADLINES, REQUIREMENTS & TAKEAWAYS
In an interview and subsequent press release and press conference, Mayor de Blasio announced that beginning December 27, 2021:
- Employee Mandate: All New York City private sector employees who report to work in-person will be required to be fully vaccinated (i.e., two doses of a two-dose vaccine series, or one dose of a one-dose series), but individuals can receive their first shot in a two-dose series by December 27 to comply with the mandate.
- “Key to NYC” Expansion: Businesses subject to the existing “Key to NYC” vaccination requirements (for indoor dining, fitness facilities, and entertainment and recreation venues), will also be required to verify, for both in-person employees and patrons, that (a) individuals ages 12 and older are fully vaccinated; and (b) children ages 5–11 have received a single vaccine dose of an approved vaccine.
At his press conference, the mayor noted that the city would issue new guidance and rules on December 15, 2021 (hereafter, “Forthcoming Rules”) that will apply to “everyone universally in the private sector.”
EMPLOYEE MANDATE: PRIVATE EMPLOYERS EXCLUDING ‘KEY TO NYC’ VENUES
As noted above, most significantly, New York City will require all private sector employees who report to work in person—such as those who work in an office setting—to be fully vaccinated. According to the city’s press release, the mandate will apply to roughly 184,000 businesses.
At his press conference, Mayor de Blasio clarified that the Forthcoming Rules
- will not apply to individuals working remotely or where a business has only one employee;
- will not provide COVID-19 testing as an alternative to vaccination; and
- will require that covered employees receive a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by December 27, 2021.
The mayor noted that the Forthcoming Rules will outline a process for employees to request a “reasonable accommodation” but did not elaborate as to who may be eligible to receive a reasonable accommodation or how that term will be defined, or provide information on potentially appropriate reasonable accommodations.
Although the Forthcoming Rules are yet to be issued, based on existing Key to NYC requirements, approved vaccinations likely will include any vaccine authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO).
Sufficient proof of vaccination will likely involve at least one of the following:
- Photo or hard copy of the individual’s CDC vaccination card
- NYC COVID Safe App
- New York State Excelsior App
- CLEAR Health Pass
- Other official vaccine record, such as documentation from a healthcare provider
- Photo or hard copy of an official vaccination record of a vaccine administered outside the United States for one of the above-noted vaccines
KEY TO NYC EXPANSION: INDOOR DINING, FITNESS FACILITIES, ENTERTAINMENT VENUES
Separately, Mayor de Blasio announced an expansion of the Key to NYC vaccination requirements for indoor entertainment/recreation, dining, and fitness settings.
Beginning December 27, all individuals who enter the indoor area of a covered business will be required to show proof of full vaccination. Previously, patrons were only required to show proof of one dose of an approved vaccine. In addition, children between the ages of 5–11—previously exempt from the requirements—will be required to show proof of at least one dose of an approved vaccine.
COMPLIANCE & ENFORCEMENT
Mayor de Blasio explained that there would be penalties under the order for non-compliance but that the city’s focus would be on warnings and improving compliance—not on penalizing employers. Under the existing Key to NYC requirements, which have been enforced through city inspectors, noncompliant covered businesses are subject to a fine of $1,000 per violation. Repeated violations may result in increased fines or other enforcement action. Under the Key to NYC guidance, each instance of covered business failing to check an individual’s vaccination status constitutes a separate violation.
NEXT STEPS
Although many questions remain unanswered (e.g., guidance on methods of proof and identification, application to visitors/third parties, notice/posting/policy requirements, exemptions, and accommodations), until the Forthcoming Rules are issued, private sector employers in New York City should begin planning for compliance with the employee mandate by December 27, including determining the vaccination status of employees and preparing to require proof of vaccination for entry.
Morgan Lewis is actively monitoring for further developments and will issue additional guidance and prepare template compliant policies when the Forthcoming Rules are issued.
How We Can Help: Return-to-Work Resources
We have developed many customizable resources to support employers’ efforts in safely returning themselves and their employees to the workplace. These include tracking of state and local orders on vaccine restrictions and return-to-work requirements; policy templates and guidelines for key topics such as vaccine mandates, mask requirements, and social distancing procedures; and webinar training on return-to-work safety measures. View the full list of return-to-work resources and consult our workplace reopening checklist.
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