Boston Implements COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
If you're headed to Boston for indoor dining or entertainment you'll need to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination starting January 15.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced the "B Together" mandate Monday that takes effect in phases with the first phase taking in effect on Saturday, January 15 when individuals age 12 and over must show proof of one dose of vaccine.
"This is just one step in an aggressive approach the city has already been working hard to implement," Wu said. "It is absolutely a necessary one. We're ready to take this step forward to protect our residents," Wu said during her announcement at City Hall.
The mandate affects:
- Entertainment venues such as movie theaters music or concert venues, commercial event and party venues, museums and galleries, professional sports arenas and indoor stadiums, convention centers and exhibition halls, performing arts theaters, bowling alleys, and other recreational centers.
- Indoor gyms and fitness settings including commercial gyms and fitness centers, yoga, pilates, barre, and dance studios, boxing and kickboxing gyms, fitness boot camps, indoor pools, and other facilities used for conducting group fitness classes.
The mandate will be phased in as follows:
- Saturday, January 15 People age 12+ must show proof of one dose of vaccine
- Tuesday, February 15 People age 12+ must show proof of full vaccination
- Tuesday, March 1 Children age 5-11 must show proof of one dose of vaccine
- Sunday, May 1 People age 5+ must show proof of full vaccination
Wu also announced that a weekly testing option for city employees has been eliminated. 90% of city employees have taken the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the mayor.
Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH