Planning a trip to NYC? Here's what you need to know about vaccination proof for indoor activities

With the delta variant still spreading across the U.S., more cities are following Europe's lead and implementing proof of vaccination requirements for specific activities — including New York City.

This week, New York City became the first U.S. city to introduce a vaccination mandate — "Key to NYC" — for all indoor activities, such as dining, fitness, and entertainment. The mandate started on August 17 for individuals aged 12 and older, but businesses have until September 13 to adapt before full enforcement begins.

Keep informed on TPG's COVID-19 updates by subscribing to our daily newsletter.

"To fully engage in our society, vaccination is essential," stated Mayor Bill de Blasio during a press conference. "The time has come."

From our observations this past week, businesses have quickly adapted to the new mandate, although some are still figuring out the details of how the process will work for employees, customers, and guests.

In fact, several entertainment venues, along with many bars and clubs in the city, started enforcing proof of vaccination even before the mandate officially took effect. I attended an Ali Wong performance at the Beacon Theatre on August 12 with TPG credit card reporter Chris Dong, where we were required to show proof of vaccination to enter.

Here’s what you should know about the new mandate in NYC.

What counts as an indoor activity

According to New York City's Key to NYC webpage, the following indoor activities require proof of vaccination.

Indoor dining

• Restaurants
• Catering venues
• Event halls
• Hotel banquet facilities
• Bars
• Nightclubs
• Cafeterias
• Grocery stores with dining options
• Coffee shops
• Fast food or quick-service places with indoor seating

Indoor fitness

• Gyms
• Fitness centers
• Exercise classes
• Swimming pools
• Indoor studios
• Dance studios

Indoor entertainment

• Cinemas
• Music and concert venues
• Museums and art galleries
• Aquariums and zoos
• Professional sports stadiums
• Indoor arenas
• Convention centers
• Exhibition spaces
• Theaters for performing arts
• Bowling alleys, arcades, and billiard halls
• Recreational gaming centers
• Adult entertainment venues
• Indoor playgrounds

Exceptions apply to churches, community centers, office buildings, and private house parties.

Ways to provide proof of vaccination

According to NYC.gov, you must present proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO through one of the following methods:

• NYC COVID Safe App
• New York State's Excelsior Pass
• CDC-issued vaccination card (or a photo of it)
• NYC vaccination record
• An official immunization record from outside NYC or the United States

If you were vaccinated outside the U.S., your immunization record must include your full name, date of birth, the name of the vaccine, the dates administered, the location of vaccination, and the name of the administering individual.

Only vaccines recognized by the WHO are accepted.

Current experiences vary widely

The mandate was implemented this week, but businesses and event venues are still figuring out the most effective ways to enforce proof of vaccination. Some have quickly adapted to the mandate, while others have shown a slower response, leading to varying experiences.

So far, larger venues, theaters, and gyms have already adopted the new mandate, with some having their own policies in place prior to its implementation.

TPG social media producer Mimi Wright received an email from her gym, Crunch Fitness, last weekend in advance of the mandate taking effect:

"The health and safety of our members, staff, and guests are always our top priority at Crunch. New York City now mandates that gyms and health clubs permit entry only to those who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. We will start accepting proof of vaccination at all Crunch locations in New York City from August 16th. Following the City's directive, access to the gym will be restricted to vaccinated individuals starting September 13th."

To ensure a smooth process, Crunch Fitness also allows members to upload their proof of vaccination before arriving at the gym. Mimi noted that the verification process was extremely easy and added almost no extra time to her gym visit.

I have tickets to a Broadway show for mid-September, and I recently received an email stating that I will need to provide proof of vaccination and wear a mask during the performance.

Earlier, I mentioned attending Ali Wong's show at the Beacon Theatre. Even though this was before the mandate took effect, the venue required proof of vaccination for entry.

Outside the venue, several staff members were prepared to check vaccination proof. They guided those who needed extra time to locate their photos, physical cards, or apps to the side so they wouldn't delay the line. It was as simple as showing a photo of my vaccine card on my phone along with my government-issued ID to gain entry.

Currently, restaurants are where experiences are the most inconsistent.

Some restaurants in my area (Bushwick) have already updated their websites to remind patrons to bring proof of vaccination — including a local dinner theater that screens indie films and cult classics. Numerous establishments in Manhattan have set up signs outside, reminding guests that proof of vaccination is mandatory for indoor dining.

However, some restaurants are still working out how to implement the mandate.

The mandate presents challenges for restaurants needing to establish a new process for seating and serving guests — will hostesses now take on bouncer roles, what happens at quick-serve "seat yourself" venues, should there be designated staff outside to check IDs and vaccination status, and can those with reservations pre-validate their vaccination proof?

In the coming weeks, anticipate more restaurants and other indoor fitness and entertainment venues adopting new procedures for verifying proof of vaccination before the enforcement date of September 13. If you plan to visit the city, ensure you have an acceptable method of proof of vaccination on hand.

Businesses that fail to adhere to the mandate after September 13 will face fines ranging from $1,000 for a first offense up to $5,000 for a third offense.

Mayor de Blasio expressed hopes that the mandate will boost vaccination rates in the city. As stated on New York City's government website, 74.9% of adults in NYC have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 68% are fully vaccinated.