Key TakeawaysSeveral major cities are requiring proof of vaccination for indoor activities.Some of the activities that will require vaccines include indoor dining, gyms, and performances.Experts are hopeful this will encourage vaccination and help curb the transmission of the virus.

Key Takeaways

Several major cities are requiring proof of vaccination for indoor activities.Some of the activities that will require vaccines include indoor dining, gyms, and performances.Experts are hopeful this will encourage vaccination and help curb the transmission of the virus.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced on Thursday, August 12, that people in the city must provide proof of full vaccination to dine indoors at restaurants or to visit bars, gyms, and entertainment venues.

San Francisco’s mandate comes weeks afterNew York City became the first U.S. cityto require vaccines for certain activities. People in the city who want to dine indoors, visit gyms, or attend performances, will need to show proof of at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

New York City Will Require Vaccination Proof for Indoor Dining, Gyms, and Entertainment

“If you want to participate in our society fully, you’ve got to get vaccinated. It’s time,” Mayor Bill de Blasiosaid at a press conference in early August. “This is going to be a requirement. The only way to patronize these establishments is if you are vaccinated, at least one dose. The same for folks in terms of work, they will need at least one dose.”

In New Orleans, Mayor LaToya Cantrell also announced on August 12 a requirement for proof of vaccination in her city. Residents and visitors will need to show either proof of a COVID-19 vaccine or a recent negative COVID-19 test to go inside restaurants, bars, or other indoor venues.

Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will also be required for large outdoor events of more than 500 people. “We’re here today because we really have no choice,” Cantrellsaid during a press conference.“The situation is dire and we are simply out of time.” The requirement went into effect on Monday.

What This Means For YouIf you live in certain cities or plan to visit a major city anytime soon, you may be required to show proof that you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19. Make sure you’re aware a city’s policy in advance.

What This Means For You

If you live in certain cities or plan to visit a major city anytime soon, you may be required to show proof that you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19. Make sure you’re aware a city’s policy in advance.

Will Mandates Work?

Experts are hopeful these vaccine mandates will help curb transmission.

“I think it is reasonable for organizations to want to exclusively deal with the vaccinated as the unvaccinated pose a risk to others, especially other unvaccinated people,”Amesh A. Adalja, MD,a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, tells Verywell. “No business wants to be the site of COVID transmission and the disruption that entails.”

Adalja says that these mandates may encourage some people to get vaccinated as a way to resume their pre-pandemic life.William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, agrees.

Is It Time to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccination?

“If it is adopted in a widespread fashion in certain cities, it will push some people off the fence and get them vaccinated,” he tells Verywell.

Can Your Employer Mandate COVID-19 Vaccines?

But others are not so sure they’ll make a dramatic difference.

“Places like New York City have reasonably high vaccination rates, so some of it might be preaching to the choir,“John Sellick, DO, an infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at the University at Buffalo/SUNY in New York, tells Verywell.

How Cities Are Verifying Vaccination Status

As of now, there is no nationally recognized way to show proof of vaccination.

However, each city that has announced its requirements has also shared its own method of verifying vaccination status:

Adalja emphasizes that there needs to be an easier way to show proof of vaccination. “More apps have to have the functionality to upload the cards, the way Clear does,” he says. “Carrying around flimsy cards is not ideal.”

How to Show Proof of Vaccination in New York City

Will Other Cities Adopt Vaccine Mandates?

Los Angeles may eventually have a vaccine mandate, too.

The Los Angeles City Council voted last week to draft an ordinance that would require people to have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in order to enter indoor public spaces. It’s still unclear if the mandate will be passed once it is drafted.

But it’s difficult to see mandates like this working everywhere in the country, especially in areas like the Southeast and Midwest, Schaffner says.

More Hospitals Are Now Mandating COVID-19 Vaccines for Healthcare Workers

“It may fit in some cities, but in others, it would evoke substantial pushback and concern,” he adds.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.City and County of San Francisco.Vaccine Required. August 16, 2021.The Official Website of the City of New York.Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Holds Media Availability.August 3, 2021.City of New Orleans.Mayor Cantrell Announces New Vaccine Requirements in Response to COVID Surge. August 12, 2021.

3 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.City and County of San Francisco.Vaccine Required. August 16, 2021.The Official Website of the City of New York.Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Holds Media Availability.August 3, 2021.City of New Orleans.Mayor Cantrell Announces New Vaccine Requirements in Response to COVID Surge. August 12, 2021.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

City and County of San Francisco.Vaccine Required. August 16, 2021.The Official Website of the City of New York.Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Holds Media Availability.August 3, 2021.City of New Orleans.Mayor Cantrell Announces New Vaccine Requirements in Response to COVID Surge. August 12, 2021.

City and County of San Francisco.Vaccine Required. August 16, 2021.

The Official Website of the City of New York.Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Holds Media Availability.August 3, 2021.

City of New Orleans.Mayor Cantrell Announces New Vaccine Requirements in Response to COVID Surge. August 12, 2021.

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?