New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the City of New York will require people to show proof of vaccination to enter any of its indoor venues, Aug 3. New York City is the first U.S. city to institute a vaccine requirement. The mandate for indoor concerts also applies to gyms and indoor dining.

The program will start to go into effect on Aug. 16, and full enforcement of the mandate is due to be settled by Sept. 13. de Blasio stated this mandate is meant to encourage people who haven’t gotten vaccinated yet to do so.

“It’s time for people to see vaccination as literally necessary to living a good and full and healthy life,” de Blasio said at a press conference. “Not everyone is going to agree with this, I understand that. But for so many people, this is going to be a lifesaving act, that we are putting a mandate in place that is going to guarantee a much higher level of vaccination in this city. And that is the key to protecting people, and the key to our recovery.”

This statement comes as the Delta variant COVID-19 cases increase dramatically around the country and world.

The city is developing an app called “Key To NYC Pass” to help with this new program. The app’s development was announced along with the news and its aim is to serve as a sort of passport. People can also prove their vaccine status by vaccine card or the New York State’s Excelsior Pass. However, providing a negative test result will no longer be enough to enter venues.

This is a developing story…