Dear small business community, As you may have heard, vaccine mandates have been expanded. Small businesses that would like help with any of these requirements can call the NYC Department of Small Business Services hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).
Vaccination Requirement: Key to NYC Children ages 5 to 11 are now required to have proof of vaccination for the public indoor activities described further below. They must show they have received at least one dose of a vaccine.
Starting December 27, people 12 and older participating in the below public indoor activities will be required to show proof they have received two vaccine doses, except for those who have received the one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Starting January 28, 2022, children ages 5 to 11 must also show proof of full vaccination.
People 5 and older are required to show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine for:
Indoor dining
- Includes restaurants, catering halls, hotel banquet rooms, bars, nightclubs, cafeterias, coffee shops, fast food restaurants, grocery stores with indoor dining and other indoor dining spaces
Indoor fitness
- Includes gyms, fitness centers, fitness classes, pools, dance studios and other indoor fitness studios, such as yoga or Pilates
Indoor entertainment and certain meeting spaces
- Includes movie theaters, music and concert venues, museums, aquariums and zoos, professional sports arenas, indoor stadiums, convention centers, exhibition halls, hotel meeting and event spaces, performing arts theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, pool and billiard halls, recreational game centers, adult entertainment and indoor play areas
People 18 and older are also required to show identification along with their proof of vaccination. These requirements — called the Key to NYC — also means employees working at these locations must be vaccinated.
To report a location that is not following these requirements, call 311.
Key to NYC Reasonable Accommodations
You have a right to be free from discrimination or harassment. If you believe you have been discriminated against because of who you are, including your race, national origin or disability, contact the NYC Commission on Human Rights.
For questions about reasonable accommodations, including those for medical conditions, see:
- Guidance for Employers on Equitable Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements
- Guidance for Public Accommodations on Equitable Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements
Information in other languages is available at nyc.gov/keytonyc.
Complying with Key to NYC Requirements If your business is covered by this requirement, you are required to check the vaccination status of all staff and customers 5 and older.
You may not permit entry to anyone 5 and older who has not received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, unless an exception in the Executive Order for Key to NYC or the Frequently Asked Questions document applies. You can allow customers to use the bathroom or for another reason that will take a small amount of time.
Find the requirements for complying with Key to NYC, as well as the required printable signage, FAQs, and more atnyc.gov/keytonyc.
Vaccination Requirement: Workplaces Beginning December 27, workers in New York City who perform in-person work or interact with the public in the course of business must show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Workers will then have 45 days to show proof of their second dose (for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines).
Businesses may not allow any unvaccinated workers to come to their workplace. A workplace is considered any location — including a vehicle — where you work in the presence of at least one other person.
You can show you have received the COVID-19 vaccine with the same proofs of vaccination that are accepted for Key to NYC.
Additional Resources
- Commissioner’s Order Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination in the Workplace (PDF, December 13)
- Private Sector Vaccine Requirement: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, December 15)
- Private Sector Vaccine Requirement: Flyer for Business Owners (PDF)
- Vaccination Requirements for Nonpublic Schools (PDF)
- Information about exceptions
Information for Businesses
Businesses must verify and keep a record of each worker’s proof of vaccination by December 27. Learn about the three options for recording proof of vaccination atnyc.gov/vaxtowork.
Non-employee workers, such as contractors, must provide vaccination proof to their employers. Businesses may request that a contractor’s employer confirm proof of vaccination. Businesses must then keep a log of these requests and the confirmations they receive. More information about the types of records that are permitted can be found at nyc.gov/vaxtowork.
By December 27, businesses must complete a certificate affirming they are in compliance with this requirement and post it in a public place. You can find a downloadable certificate at nyc.gov/vaxtowork. Businesses should be prepared to make their records available for inspection.
Have questions?
Small businesses that would like help with any of these requirements can call the NYC Department of Small Business Services hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).
