Kids 5-11 Will Fall Under NYC Indoor Vax Mandate, De Blasio Says

NEW YORK CITY — Doors across the city soon will close for unvaccinated young New Yorkers.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday that kids in the 5-11 age group must show proof of vaccination for indoor dining, entertainment and cultural venues and fitness establishments.

The new rule takes effect Dec. 14 and aims to push vaccinations beyond the 127,000 kids who have received doses so far, he said.

"It's a little over 19 percent of all the kids in that group," he said. "Considering it's brand-new, that's good and it's better than the national rate, but it's not enough. Obviously, we need to see a lot more."

Adding kids to the city's "Key To NYC" indoor vaccine mandate isn't the only strict coronavirus measure de Blasio announced Monday.

De Blasio unveiled a sweeping mandate — albeit with scant few details on enforcement — that requires all private employees in the city to get vaccinated by Dec. 27.

He also announced another measure covering 5- to 11-year-olds — that group will have to get vaccinated by Dec. 14 to participate in high-risk extracurricular activities such as sports, band, orchestra and dance.