Popular US Cities Adding Vaccine or Testing Mandates

More cities in the U.S. are turning to indoor vaccine and testing mandates in order to curb the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus variant, which is quickly becoming the dominant strain of the virus in the U.S.

According to CNN, cities like Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, Chicago and others have all recently instituted or announced these new mandates.

Los Angeles has been mandating full vaccination for food and beverage establishments since November 29. California is also currently under an indoor mask mandate through January 15; it began last week.

New York City's Key To NYC mandate has been in place since September 13, but will become stricter beginning December 27, when it will require everyone twelve and older to provide proof of full vaccination instead of partial vaccination to enter movie theaters, restaurants and other places.

Another early vaccine mandate was announced prior to the new Omicron variant in New Orleans. Anyone twelve or older must provide proof of at least partial vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test to enter restaurants, bars, music venues, casinos and other places.

San Francisco is currently under a vaccination mandate for entry to gyms, bars, restaurants and other venues. It began August 20 and does not provide an option for testing negative instead.

Seattle requires patrons over twelve years old of restaurants, bars, indoor sporting events and outdoor sporting events with over 500 individuals to be fully vaccinated or provide proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test.