Public Hotel in Manhattan has announced that all guests, visitors and staff will need proof of Covid-19 vaccination to enter, starting Sept. 5.
The Bowery neighborhood property is the first hotel known to issue a vaccine mandate for all visitors and employees in New York City, where Mayor Bill De Blasio announced on Aug. 3 that proof of Covid-19 vaccination will be required for anyone who wants to dine indoors at a restaurant, see a performance or go to a gym.
The new policy requires all guests staying at the hotel or visiting the hotel’s bars and restaurants to show proof of vaccination on arrival.
Additionally, masks will be required when moving through communal areas. All staff working at Public will also be required to have full vaccination. The statement from the property regarding the new policy indicated exemptions would be made for medical and religious reasons, but as of now Public would require a letter from a doctor or clergy to get the exemption.
“The health, safety, and wellbeing of our guests and staff is the only thing that matters to us,” Public founder Ian Schrager said in a statement. “Naturally, we will do everything and anything we can possibly do to protect them.”
The Public vaccination policy will apply to all guests and visitors 12 years of age and older, who will need to show a Covid-19 vaccine card or digital proof of vaccination before entering.
“With these measures in place, our guests will be able to relax, enjoy and experience the hotel and all of the exciting things it has to offer in the knowledge they won’t get sick or make anyone else sick,” Schrager said. “Indeed, we need to beat Covid-19 together. After all, looking after people is our business. We just didn’t see how to fulfill this responsibility without taking action.”
New York City’s new policy regarding gyms, restaurants and performances will go into effect on Aug. 16, but inspections and enforcement are not slated to begin until Sept. 13. The new requirements have been implemented to help slow a spike in Covid-19 cases tied to the now dominant delta variant.
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