New York City requirement for COVID-19 vaccination proof not for ‘anything indoors’

A viral image goes too far in lamenting New York City’s new requirement to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

The image says:

"Ok so let me understand this. I will need to show proof to do anything indoors in NYC but NOT when I vote? you're getting played people!!! Wake up! Little sheeple."

The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)

By order of Mayor Bill de Blasio, starting Aug. 16, people will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination for indoor dining, indoor fitness, and indoor entertainment and performances. The order requires at least one dose of vaccination for patrons and employees of those establishments.

The order is limited to those three types of indoor venues. It does not apply, for example, to grocery stores and other essential businesses, though the city will consider adding other types of businesses, de Blasio said.

It’s the first such order in the U.S., according to the New York Times.

De Blasio said in announcing his order that he targeted those venues to persuade more people to get vaccinated.

"It's time for people to see vaccination as literally necessary to living a good and full and healthy life," he said.

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More than 72% of New York City adults have received at least one dose, according to the city.

As for voting, registered voters in New York State do not need to show identification to vote, unless they did not provide identification with their registration. First-time voters must provide identification information either on or with their voter registration application.

The proof of vaccination requirement does not apply to polling places.

The same day as de Blasio’s announcement, Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., announced he would introduce legislation to require states that mandate vaccine passports, or cards showing proof of vaccination, also mandate voter identification.

"If states that take federal money for elections feel the need to make residents verify a piece of information as private as their vaccination status just to return to normalcy, then they should have no problem requiring people to prove they are who they say they are when they go to vote," he said in a statement.

A viral image claimed that "I will need to show proof to do anything indoors in" New York City, "but not when I vote?"

In New York State, including New York City, you don’t need to show identification to vote — if you are a registered voter. And proof of vaccination is not required to vote.

But the claim about "anything indoors" is inaccurate. Starting Aug. 16, the city will require customers and employees to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to enter certain venues — for indoor dining, indoor fitness, and indoor entertainment and performances. But the mayor’s order does not include other types of indoor venues.

We rate the post Half True.

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