New York Will Now Require Proof of Vaccine for The Club

New York City will require you to mask up indoors once again beginning August 16th. In addition, it will now be the only US city to require proof of vaccination to enter indoor restaurants, entertainment venues, and gyms. It’s safe to assume other US cities are soon to follow.

The restrictions go into effect at 12midnight on August 16th. New York mayor Bill DeBlasio said the city will begin to enforce the program on September 13th. All patrons, upon entry, will be required to present proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine via the state’s digital vaccine platform, Excelsior Pass. They can also present the physical vaccine card.

Popular nightclub and arts space, Elsewhere, announced a change in their entry policy via Twitter that goes into effect on August 6th.

“In light of the recent rise in Delta variant cases, as of this Friday, Aug 6th, we will be reinstating a policy of vaccination proof or negative PCR test for entry to all events at Elsewhere…We understand that for some, vaccination requirements raise questions of accessibility and inclusivity, topics which are very important to us. We are choosing to reinstate these guidelines not as a way to discriminate, but in order to create an environment of safety and comfort at our events during this complex time. During this transition period on the road back to normalcy, our first priority is the safety of our audiences and community.”

This is the latest effort to increase vaccine rates in NYC as Delta variant related cases push hospitalizations higher. Currently, around 55% of the city’s adult population is fully vaccinated. A number that’s well below the 70% intended target, but higher than the US national average of 50%.

"This is a miraculous place literally full of wonders," the mayor said at a press conference. "If you're vaccinated, all that’s going to open up to you. But if you're unvaccinated, unfortunately you will not be able to participate in many things."

San Francisco venues like 1015 Folsom and Audio are also requiring either proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of entry.