Staff Reports
New York City Mayor Eric Adams made a major announcement on Monday, revealing that the city will be lifting its COVID-19 vaccine mandate later this month. The mandate, which was put in place by Mayor Bill DeBlasio in October 2021, offered a $500 incentive to any employee that received their first dose within a week of the mandate being enforced.
Breaking News: Mayor Eric Adams said he was ending a contentious coronavirus vaccine mandate this week for New York City employees. The requirement led to a 96% vaccination rate, but also prompted hundreds of municipal workers to be fired. https://t.co/WZ4nxc0lSp
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 6, 2023
In a press release, Adams stated that the decision to lift the mandate was made at the “right moment” and he continued to encourage all New Yorkers to get vaccinated. The mandate will officially be lifted on February 10th and will no longer be required for NYC workers, state Department of Education employees, daycare staff, and “early child care” staff.
Despite the mandate being lifted, the hundreds of employees who lost their jobs after the mandate was put in place for refusing to get the vaccine will not be reinstated to their positions. The press release stated that while they will not be able to automatically return to their previous positions, they will be able to apply for positions with their former agencies through existing city rules and regulations and hiring processes.
Adams’ announcement comes as the number of people receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations continues to rise across the country. As of February 2021, more than 96 percent of city workers and more than 80 percent of New Yorkers have received their primary COVID-19 series. With more people getting vaccinated, Adams believes that it is the right time to lift the mandate and allow people to make their own decisions about whether or not they want to get vaccinated.
The lifting of the mandate is a major step forward in the fight against COVID-19 and shows that the city is committed to protecting its citizens from the virus. While Adams continues to encourage all New Yorkers to get vaccinated, he also recognizes that it is ultimately up to each individual to decide what is best for them.
The preceding article is a summary of an article that originally appeared on The Daily Caller
