On December 6, 2021, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that all New York City employers, regardless of size, will be required to impose COVID-19 vaccination mandates on all employees (subject to legally protected exemptions) by December 27, 2021.

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This new vaccine requirement is in addition to the City’s existing COVID-19 vaccination mandate for establishments providing indoor dining, gyms, theaters and other entertainment services. Mayor de Blasio cited the combination of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant and holiday gatherings as the motivation for this mandate.

The Mayor’s announcement indicated that the vaccine requirement will apply to in-person employees. Unlike the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), the New York City requirement will not have a weekly testing option. Additional details have not yet been published; however, Mayor de Blasio’s office has said that the city will release more information on December 15, 2021.