Amid the surge in coronavirus infections, New York City requires almost all private companies to ban unvaccinated employees from entering the workplace. The full authorization will take effect on Monday.

Workers in approximately 184,000 companies were required to prove that they had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before Monday. Companies that fail to comply may face fines starting at $1,000, but Mayor Bill de Blasio said that imposing penalties will be the last resort.

The Democratic mayor said at a press conference on Monday that people are required to be vaccinated.

“We have to work harder because of one thing we all agree… COVID is harmful to humans, harmful to our health, but also harmful to businesses. If we want to avoid shutdowns, I believe we must, we need More and more people are vaccinated.”

Staten Island lawyer Louis Gelormino said that some business owners and workers are planning to file legal proceedings. He said they would argue that New York City violated the constitutional rights of business owners and workers to earn a living and that New York City has no right to impose vaccinations on private companies, despite indoor gathering places such as restaurants, bars, theaters, and gyms.

It is unclear whether the mayor-elect Eric Adams, who will take office on January 1, will retain or change this mission.

Now, more private employers will have to verify and record the COVID-19 vaccination certificate of each worker. Workers who have only received one injection must have a second injection within 45 days. Companies must display a sign confirming that they comply with the city’s “conspicuous location” regulations.

Companies do not need disciplinary actions or dismissal of non-compliant workers, but they must be kept away from the workplace. Workers seeking accommodation for religious reasons can come to work while their request is pending.

The new rules cover private places where work is performed in the presence of another worker or the public. Upon request, this includes not only stores, but also shared work spaces and taxis.

“I hope the city can easily enforce this rule, because this is a new task-it definitely requires some transition-and employers are now dealing with countless other challenges,” said Randy Pierce, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

Kathryn Wylde, chairperson of New York City Partnerships, a business group that represents some large employers in New York City, said that city inspectors may find it difficult to enforce the law. She said she hoped that the Adams government would show flexibility in law enforcement.

“The big employers I’ve heard of—in fact, dozens and dozens of other major employers—have been worried about whether they can complete their tasks. The time is short,” Wilde said.

The city has required hospital and nursing home staff and city employees including teachers, police and firefighters to be vaccinated.

At the same time, the state has shortened the amount of time that health care and other essential workers must stay at home after testing positive for COVID-19. Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Friday that if these workers are fully vaccinated, have no symptoms or are in remission and wear masks, they can return to work in 5 days instead of 10 days. middle.

State officials said they are working hard to avoid a shortage of key staff, while also working to contain the outbreak of the virus.

“This is not about returning people who are sick to work,” State Health Commissioner Mary Bassett said at a press conference on Monday. “People who are sick should not go to work at any time, especially at this time.”