NYC Business Owners Worry Vaccine Mandate Will Keep Tourists With Young Children Away: ‘Just Hugely Problematic’

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — New York City introduced a sweeping new vaccine mandate on Monday that goes beyond any other in the United States.

It calls for workers in the private sector to get the shot by the end of the month, and for children to be vaccinated in order to enjoy many establishments.

READ MORE: New York City Announces First-In-The-Nation Vaccine Mandate For Private Companies

Mayor Bill de Blasio continued to defend the mandate Tuesday, but many business owners say they are concerned about the impact it will have on the holiday tourist season.

Getting carded at the door of city restaurants has been the norm for several months, but starting next week, young children will also have to show proof of vaccination.

“It’s a little difficult, but it’s the life, what are you going to do? This time, this pandemic is very difficult for everybody,” Olympic Flame Diner employee Polito Sierra told CBS2’s Jenna DeAngelis.

Employees at the diner say they’ll continue to follow the rules put in place to keep people safe.

WATCH: Mayor De Blasio Announces Vaccine Mandate For Private Companies 

But other business owners say they are fed up.

“It’s clear that the politicians are playing politics with small businesses,” said Tyler Hollinger, who owns Festival Cafe.

Starting Dec. 14, children ages 5 to 11 must have at least one vaccine dose for indoor dining, fitness or entertainment. This will also apply for high-risk extracurricular activities in schools.

Those 12 and older will be required to show proof of two doses starting Dec. 27 — the same deadline for private sector workers to be vaccinated.

“This is a preemptive strike. This is to get ahead of something that’s now threatening us in a new way,” de Blasio told CNN Tuesday. “You had the winter weather, you had the holiday gatherings, now Omicron. I mean, we’re getting a lot of warnings here. We better be aggressive.”

READ MORE: New York City’s New Vaccine Mandate Also Impacts Kids 5-11

COVID VACCINE

The mandate also came with mixed reviews from New Yorkers.

“The city has enough trouble getting people back to work. Not going to make it any easier,” Upper West Side resident Joe Lewis said.

“We’ve required vaccines in order to go to elementary schools, high schools, colleges. We’ve always required vaccines,” said another person. “It’s become a partisan issue, but it’s really a public health issue.”

Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, feels this puts another burden on restaurants.

“We’ve been encouraging people to come to New York City, and now all these families have their holidays planned in New York, they’re bringing their kids. But guess what? They can’t get vaccinated in their own country, so when they come here, they’re not going to be able to eat in restaurants, go to shows and visit other types of entertainment venues,” he told CBS2. “It’s just hugely problematic.”

The mayor said the Department of Health will work with the business sector on enforcement, and the city will roll out more specifics next week.

City Council Republican Minority Leader Joe Borelli has threatened to file a lawsuit against the mandate.

Four more cases of the omicron variant were just identified in New York State.

Keep yourself and your loved ones safe this holiday season. Get vaccinated and get your booster as soon as you can.

— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 6, 2021

This comes as four more cases of the Omicron variant have been confirmed in New York State, though Delta still accounts for most cases.

That brings the total to at least 12 statewide, and 14 throughout the Tri-State Area.

While health officials are still working to learn more about the new variant, the local cases appear to be mild.

MORE NEWS: NYC Vaccine Mandates: Where And How To Show Proof Of Vaccination For Indoor Activities

“Keep yourself and your loved ones safe this holiday season. Get vaccinated and get your booster as soon as you can,” Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted Monday night.