Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a COVID vaccine mandate for all private-sector employers across the board in New York City, writes ABC.

The mandate is set to begin on December 27.

The mayor called it a proactive, “First in the nation measure”.

“New York City will not give a single inch in the fight against COVID-19. Vaccination is the way out of this pandemic, and these are bold, first-in-the-nation measures to encourage New Yorkers to keep themselves and their communities safe”, - Mayor de Blasio said. – “From workplace mandates, to USD 100 incentives, to mobile and at-home vaccination offerings, no place in the nation has done more to end the COVID era. And if you have not taken this step yet: there’s no better day than today to stand up for your city”.