All New York City Department of Education teachers and staff will be required to get at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine by September 27, according to multiple local and media sources.
The mandate was issued Monday morning (Aug. 23).
The new mandate is estimated to affect approximately 148,000 Dept. of Ed. Employees, according to a report by The New York Times.
In July, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a mandate requiring all municipal employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus by the start of the new school year, set for September 13.
An option to undergo weekly COVID-19 PCR testing was made available to those who are not vaccinated and who decline to be vaccinated.
New York State’s Department of Health announced in May that all students attending in-person classes in the state university system, and in the New York City university system, must be vaccinated as well.
In accordance with the new mandate, teachers, principals, kitchen workers and all other school staff and central office staff are losing that option, amNY pointed out Monday in a report.
Those city employees must provide proof of having received at least one shot of vaccine prior to September 27.
NJ Also Issues Vaccine Mandate
New Jersey’s state government has issued a similar mandate, requiring all school personnel for pre-K through grade 12 to be “fully vaccinated” by October 18, according to NBC4NY News.
Those who do not complete the vaccine series, and/or who decline to be inoculated against COVID-19, will be required to undergo weekly PCR testing, either once or twice a week.
New Jersey’s Department of Health tweeted a list of vaccination and testing sites that will be open and operating statewide for the rest of this week and through next week.
“No appointment, ID, documentation or health insurance required,” the department wrote.
Several COVID-19 vaccination and testing events are taking place in Lakewood this week through next week. See the flyers for exact dates, times and locations. No appointment, ID, documentation or health insurance required. pic.twitter.com/4ADZod014M
— NJDOH (@NJDeptofHealth)
Mandates Elsewhere Around the US
The Pentagon in Washington DC announced Monday that its 1.4 million active duty service personnel will all be required to take at least one shot of coronavirus vaccine.
Likewise, Oregon has issued a vaccine mandate for all of its state employees. United Airlines also recently announced its employees will be required to provide proof of coronavirus vaccination within the next five weeks.