Traveler Alert: New York Begins Vaccine Passports For Children Under 12

Share The Article

Last Updated 3 years ago

New York City will introduce vaccine passports for children aged 5 to 11 in a blow to international tourists without vaccinated children. Restaurants and cinemas will ask children to show they’re vaccinated from 14 December according to Mayor de Blasio.

In the United States, children aged five to eleven have been eligible for COVID-19 vaccines for around four weeks. Mayor de Blasio said the emergence of Omicron, people mixing during the holiday season, and the colder weather are the reason for the children's vaccine passport. 

He said, “We’ve got the colder weather, which is going to really create new challenges with the Delta variant. We’ve got holiday gatherings. We in New York City have decided to use a preemptive strike to really do something bold to stop the further growth of Covid and the dangers it poses to all of us.”

“Vaccination is the way out of this pandemic, and these are bold, first-in-the-nation measures to encourage New Yorkers to keep themselves and their communities safe.

“From workplace mandates to $100 incentives, to mobile and at-home vaccination offerings, no place in the nation has done more to end the COVID era. And if you have not taken this step yet: there’s no better day than today to stand up for your city,” said Mayor de Blasio.

The New Vaccine Passport 

Children between 5 and 11 will require proof of vaccination to enter the following venues:

• Fitness Centers 
• Entertainment venues, including Broadway Theater 
• Indoor restaurant dining 
• New York City officials will also require children to be vaccinated if they’re participating in ‘high risk’ extracurricular activities 

Kids between 5 and 11 will need to show proof of their first vaccine shot starting from December 14. Kids 12 and older will need to show their two-dose proof beginning December 27. 

Families can show proof of vaccination through the CDC-issued vaccination card, the Clear Health Pass, the New York State Excelsior Pass, and the NYC COVID Safe App. 

However, unlike the adult vaccine passport, New York City will allow children to use the vaccine passport if they have only one dose. Children over 12, on the other hand, will need two vaccine doses instead of one after December 14, unless they have used the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

The introduction of the vaccine passport for children is problematic for international tourists who aren’t able to give their children the vaccine yet.

For example, the United Kingdom hasn’t offered children under 12 the option of receiving a vaccination yet. But the United Kingdom is just one of many nations that haven’t offered children vaccines. 

Currently, all visitors over 12 need to show proof of vaccination to attend the following venues:

• Restaurants and bars
• Fitness gyms
• Movie theaters
• Concert venues
• Casinos
• Botanical gardens
• Commercial event
• Party venues
• Museums and galleries
• Aquariums
• Zoos
• Professional sports arenas
• Indoor stadiums
• Convention centers
• Exhibition halls
• Performing arts theaters
• Bowling alleys
• Arcades
• Indoor play areas
• Pool and billiard halls

The COVID-19 Situation In New York City 

The New York City Department of Health recommends everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated, wear masks in all public spaces. The New York subway continues to operate 24 hours per day, but travelers must wear masks during their journeys. 

However, the government no longer requires businesses to maintain social distancing, masking, or cleaning protocols. Businesses no longer require contact tracing information either. 

The government maintains restrictions on large-scale indoor events with over 5,000 attendees. Travelers can eliminate social distancing and mask rules by providing proof of vaccination.

New York State currently has a 7-day case average of 2,321, which is a significant decrease from previous COVID-19 waves throughout the city.  

Read More:

U.S. Issues 18 New Travel Advisories For December

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2021

10 Countries To Visit That Do Not Require A Vaccine Passport

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path's latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.