The coronavirus vaccine is mandatory for all private sector employees in New York state starting December 27. This was announced by outgoing Mayor of the Big Apple, Bill de Blasio, who will pass the baton on January 1st to his successor, ex-cop Eric Adams. “All private sector employees in New York City will be subject to the vaccination obligation starting December 27,” he said in an interview with MSNBC.
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De Blasio also announced stricter vaccination rules for access to dining, entertainment and fitness venues. So far, at least one dose of the vaccine has been required, but from December 27 it will be necessary to complete the vaccination process. Even children ages 5 to 11 will need to receive at least one dose of the vaccine to enter restaurants, de Blasio said.
Fauci: “Omicron, first reports are encouraging”
US health officials say that while the Omicron type of coronavirus is spreading rapidly across the country, initial indications are that it may be less dangerous than Delta, which is still leading a wave of hospitalization. President Joe Biden’s chief medical advisor, Anthony Fauci, told State of the Union on CNN that scientists need more information before drawing conclusions about the danger of Omicron. However, reports from South Africa, where the Omicron emerged and became the dominant strain, indicate that hospitalization rates have not increased alarmingly. Omicron was discovered in about a third of the US states on Sunday. Fauci said the Biden administration is considering lifting travel restrictions on non-US travelers entering the United States from several African countries.
Scotland, Deputy Prime Minister: ‘Take a swab every time you leave the house’
A COVID-19 positive swab every time you leave home and plan to connect with the community. This is the suggestion of the Scottish Deputy Prime Minister, John Sweeney, who explained in an interview with the BBC that he does it when he goes out and meets people other than his family. “We want people to increase the frequency of test use, from twice a week to much more frequency when socializing and interacting with others,” he told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme. “Personally, I take a test every day I go out with the possibility of meeting other members of the community outside my family,” he added. “I would encourage others to do the exact same thing, because it gives me confidence to protect my family and gives me confidence to protect others.”
