The Omicron variant is disrupting Christmas plans in several major cities across the US

The emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has thrown a wrench into many people's holiday celebrations, particularly in larger cities like New York.

New York City had already implemented stricter COVID-19 measures due to the chaos caused by the Delta variant, and now many venues are canceling performances and events. Some restaurants are also closing their doors again.

New York has introduced a statewide indoor mask mandate for locations that do not require proof of vaccination. Additionally, proof of vaccination may be necessary for children in certain situations.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia's city officials have announced a vaccination requirement for indoor dining starting next year.

As you get ready for holiday travel, be aware that six major U.S. cities, including New York City, San Francisco, and Philadelphia, currently limit certain indoor activities to vaccinated individuals.

Here's what you should know if you're traveling to key American cities at this time.

New York City

Both travelers and residents in New York state and New York City should be prepared to show their vaccination card or wear a mask to enter most indoor public venues.

As of December 14, NYC became the first city in the U.S. to mandate proof of vaccination for most indoor activities, including dining, gym use, and entertainment venues.

Children aged 5 to 11 will need to present proof of at least one vaccine dose, while those 12 and older must show full vaccination against COVID-19 by December 27 to dine indoors or access entertainment venues in New York City, applicable to both residents and visitors.

In addition, face masks are now mandatory in all indoor public areas that do not require vaccination proof, effective until at least January 15, according to a statewide order issued by Governor Kathy Hochul.

After becoming the first city in the U.S. to restrict all indoor activities to those with proof of at least one dose of an FDA- or WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccine (a policy implemented in August), New York City officials expanded vaccination requirements on December 6 to include children.

"Starting December 14, children aged 5-11 will need to show proof of one vaccine dose for entry into those venues. From December 27, New Yorkers aged 12 and older will be required to provide proof of two vaccine doses, except for those vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson," stated the mayor's office. They also announced that this age group must show proof of vaccination for participation in "high-risk extracurricular activities," such as sports, band, orchestra, and dance, starting December 14.

As usual, individuals must present valid identification that matches the name on their vaccination record, such as a government-issued ID, school ID, driver's license, or passport. The office of Mayor DeBlasio did not respond to inquiries about how those without IDs can comply.

According to city data, 90% of adults in New York City and 50% of those aged 5-17 have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Initially launched in August, the Key to NYC program mandates proof of vaccination for entry to restaurants, bars, grocery stores with indoor dining, coffee shops, theaters, museums, and gyms.

Guests can present proof of vaccination using the NYC COVID Safe app, New York state's Excelsior Pass, a physical or photocopy version of their CDC-issued vaccination card, NYC vaccination record, or an official immunization record from outside New York City or the U.S.

In July, Broadway established a full vaccination and mask requirement for theatergoers aged 12 and older to attend performances in its 41 theaters until February 28. Children under 12, as well as those with valid "serious" religious or medical exemptions, may enter by providing a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours or a rapid antigen test taken within six hours of the show. Furthermore, all attendees over 18 must show a government-issued photo ID, like a driver's license or passport, while those under 18 can use a school ID. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult with a photo ID, meaning a 12-year-old cannot attend a Broadway show alone.

Broadway ticket holders will receive an email reminder about the attendance rules 15 days before their scheduled show.

Regrettably, the spread of the Omicron variant has led to the cancellation of several major events.

Some performances have experienced breakthrough COVID-19 cases among cast members. Shows such as the Tina Turner musical, "Hamilton," "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Moulin Rouge," and "Ain't Too Proud" have all called off performances. On December 17, the Rockettes' "Christmas Spectacular" was canceled after positive COVID-19 tests among cast and crew members.

A number of restaurants are also shutting down. If you plan to visit New York City for Christmas, be aware that the situation is evolving rapidly, so stay updated with the news.

Philadelphia

"Beginning January 3, any venue that serves food or drinks for on-site consumption will be required to ensure that all patrons are fully vaccinated against COVID-19," stated Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole during a press conference on December 13. "For the initial two weeks, from January 3 to January 17, establishments may allow proof of a negative COVID test as an alternative to vaccination proof."

Starting in January, the vaccine mandate will apply to individuals aged 5 and older in indoor spaces serving food, including restaurants, bars, sports venues (such as Wells Fargo Center), movie theaters, and cafes within larger establishments. However, children aged 5 years and 3 months to 11 will have until February 3 to complete their vaccination course.

"Children younger than 5 years and 3 months are exempt from this mandate, as are individuals with valid medical or religious exemptions," Bettigole stated. Those exempt can present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the last 24 hours to enter venues with a capacity of over 1,000 people.

The mandate will also extend to bowling alleys, catering halls, food courts, and seated dining areas at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

San Francisco

On August 12, San Francisco became the first major U.S. city to implement a comprehensive vaccination mandate for indoor activities, requiring proof of full vaccination for participants aged 12 and older starting August 20. This mandate was enacted to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 among the unvaccinated while allowing businesses and schools to stay operational. It applies broadly, not only to public indoor events with over 1,000 attendees but also to private gatherings.

Businesses in San Francisco will accept the three primary vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson), along with those from Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, and the Serum Institute of India.

Face masks are still mandatory indoors throughout the city and on public transportation (including cable cars), regardless of vaccination status, according to the San Francisco Travel Association (which did not provide a comment). San Francisco International Airport (SFO) was also the first airport in the U.S. to implement a complete vaccination mandate for its employees as of September 21.

San Francisco ranks among the most vaccinated cities in the U.S., with 80% of residents fully vaccinated and 86% having received at least one dose as of December 17, according to data from the San Francisco Public Health Department.

Los Angeles

As California's largest city, Los Angeles has required proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test for entry into bars, breweries, wineries, nightclubs, and lounges since October. While this requirement does not apply to restaurants, many have reportedly chosen to implement their own mandates.

Furthermore, Los Angeles County has applied the same requirements to indoor events hosting over 1,000 attendees and outdoor "mega events" with 10,000 or more participants, including Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain, which are the first major theme parks affected.

In Los Angeles County, along with a photo ID, visitors can present proof of vaccination through:

• CDC vaccination record card (the white card).
• WHO vaccination record card (the yellow card).
• California Department of Public Health COVID-19 digital vaccination record.
• Other approved COVID-19 digital vaccination records.
• Documentation of vaccination from a healthcare provider or entity.
• California Immunization Registry vaccination record.

Face masks remain mandatory indoors in Los Angeles, regardless of vaccination status. Discover Los Angeles did not respond to requests for comments.

According to data from the LA public health department, as of December 11, 68% of Angelenos aged 5 and older are fully vaccinated.

California as a whole

Thanks to high vaccination rates in LA and San Diego, California has achieved a statewide vaccination rate exceeding 70%, according to data from the state government's vaccine tracker.

A statewide mandate is currently in effect, requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test result for large-scale events.

In other parts of the state, Palm Springs has mandated face masks, proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours to dine indoors at restaurants and bars since August. Riverside County, which encompasses Palm Springs and the broader Coachella Valley, reported a 57% full vaccination rate among residents aged 5 and older as of December 12, based on data from the county's public health department.

Vail Resorts

Vail Resorts, which operates a network of mountain resorts and regional ski areas across 15 states and three countries, continues to implement indoor COVID-19 safety measures at its 34 North American resorts for the 2021-22 ski season.

According to a press release from Vail Resorts on September 20, "Face coverings will be mandatory in indoor settings, including restaurants, lodging, restrooms, retail and rental shops, and on buses. Face coverings will not be necessary outdoors, in lift lines, or on chairlifts or gondolas unless mandated by local health authorities. (For instance, Whistler Blackcomb requires face coverings on gondolas due to orders from the Provincial Health Authority of British Columbia)."

Furthermore, all guests aged 12 and older must present proof of vaccination for indoor dining at on-mountain quick-service (cafeteria-style) restaurants. This requirement also applies to guests participating in ski and ride school programs that provide lunch, but not to full-service indoor restaurants or outdoor dining areas.

Lindsay Hogan, communications director at Vail Resorts, stated via email, "We are fortunate that the heart of our business takes place outdoors in expansive mountain environments. However, as we welcome visitors from around the globe to our indoor facilities, we believe it's crucial to contribute to the fight against COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of our guests, employees, and communities. That’s why we are enforcing face coverings indoors and requiring vaccinations at our indoor quick-service restaurants."

She added, "Our on-mountain quick-service restaurants are distinct dining venues. They are large-scale, cafeteria-style locations with a high volume and density of guests who often share tables with others and will not be wearing face coverings while eating and drinking. This vaccination requirement closely aligns with measures being implemented nationwide in other large-scale indoor event spaces facing similar circumstances."

Elsewhere

Chicago

Illinois, including Chicago, continues to enforce a statewide indoor mask mandate.

Despite a letter from eight city council members urging Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and city health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady to adopt vaccination requirements for restaurants, bars, theaters, gyms, and music venues, such mandates have not been implemented. The letter faced resistance from the Chicago Restaurants Coalition but received backing from the Illinois Restaurant Association.

The Illinois Restaurant Association stated in a press release on September 10, "We advocate for vaccinations for everyone — it's the most effective way to move past the pandemic."

Chicago's reopening strategy announced in August included measures for split seating in restaurants to differentiate between vaccinated and unvaccinated patrons, allowing the vaccinated to enjoy indoor dining without masks. Since then, some local bars and restaurants have opted to require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours, even though there is no official mandate for this.

As of December 12, city data shows that 63% of Chicago residents are fully vaccinated.

Choose Chicago, the city's official tourism organization, did not reply to a request for comment.

Washington, DC

While D.C. has lifted its previous mandate requiring masks in indoor public areas, many restaurants and bars in the D.C. area still require proof of vaccination for both employees and patrons. This includes full-service establishments within Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, such as Maialino Mare and Anchovy Social.

Event venues across the D.C. area, including those in neighboring Maryland and Northern Virginia, have implemented their own vaccination and/or testing protocols.

"Our top priority is safety for obvious reasons. Measures such as indoor mask-wearing and requiring proof of vaccination are essential for ensuring the health of our visitors and residents," said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC, in an email. "We're also observing that testing, including rapid testing, is becoming mandatory at private or large events, regardless of vaccination status."

New Orleans

New Orleans stands out as the only city in the South currently mandating either partial vaccination or a negative PCR test for individuals aged 12 and older participating in specific high-risk indoor activities, such as dining in restaurants, visiting bars and microbreweries, attending concerts, and using gyms, along with an indoor mask requirement.

Visitors to New Orleans have four options to demonstrate their vaccination status:

• Through the state's LA Wallet app.
• Original, digital, or photocopied CDC vaccination card.
• Official vaccination records from other states, countries, or the WHO.
• Documentation from a vaccine clinical trial.

As of Dec. 12, over 79% of adults in New Orleans have received their vaccinations, according to city statistics.

Summary

New York City currently enforces the most extensive vaccine requirements in the United States, mandating proof of vaccination for indoor dining, theater attendance, and gym usage for all individuals aged 5 and older, while Philadelphia requires vaccination proof for indoor dining only.

The spread of the omicron variant is causing some to rethink their travel plans, as various venues close and performances get canceled.

It remains uncertain if more U.S. cities will implement vaccination proof requirements for indoor activities, as decisions appear to be influenced by local politics and public protests. Currently, eight states enforce indoor mask mandates for everyone, while Connecticut has one for the unvaccinated, and Washington mandates masks outdoors. Numerous cities and counties have also taken action independently in the absence of state-wide directives.

No matter if you're heading to the coasts or somewhere in between, it's important to stay informed by checking the latest updates from local authorities at your intended destination.

Featured image of patrons dining at Baby Brasa during Labor Day Weekend in New York's West Village on Sept. 5, captured by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images.