Teachers Must Provide Vaccination Proof: Yonkers Mayor Spano

YONKERS, NY — Mayor Mike Spano announced a sweeping coronavirus vaccine mandate for teachers and city employees on Wednesday.

Spano said all municipal and Yonkers School District employees must provide one-time proof of COVID-19 vaccination by Labor Day or undergo weekly testing. City workers who do not provide proof of vaccination will also be required to wear masks at their workplaces.

"We have fought long and hard to combat this pandemic and this is not the time to back down as this virus evolves," Spano said. "Yonkers must continue on its road to recovery and that means ensuring that our workforce is protected and protects the residents we serve. We are in this together."

The new mandate comes as COVID-19 cases resurge across the nation along with the rise of the delta variant of the virus, particularly among those who have not been vaccinated. Prior to today’s announcement, the City of Yonkers did not require proof of vaccination or require frequent testing for its employees.

The move mirrors the recent policy announced by New York City. Spano also said that all unvaccinated employees must wear a mask indoors at their workstation, while vaccinated employees who do not interact with the public are currently not required to wear masks at their workstations.

Some things will not change as a result of the July 28, announcement.

City and Yonkers Board of Education workers who interact with the public, including students and their families, still must continue to wear masks at all times, regardless of vaccination status. All employees are still required to wear a face covering when entering the buildings, traveling to their workspace and in elevators.

Face coverings are also required for all visitors while in any city or school facility.

Yonkers’ 2,000 full-time municipal employees must show proof of vaccination or undergo routine testing by Labor Day. The 3,500 full-time Yonkers Board of Education employees must provide proof of vaccination by September 1, the start of the 2021-2022 school year.