New York City mayor has made it mandatory to enter indoor dining and gyms with vaccination proof, reported Associated Press. It is the first big US city to impose such rules.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the new guideline on Tuesday. The new rule will be phased in over several weeks in August and September. It is the most aggressive step the city has taken yet to curb a surge in cases caused by the Delta variant.

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Last week, Blasio made it compulsory for public workers and healthcare workers to show proof of vaccination or undergo COVID test weekly.

The mayor said “The only way to patronize these establishments indoors will be if you’re vaccinated.” He added that his goal was to convince everyone they have to stop the Delta variant and get vaccinated.

The new policy will come into effect from August 16 and some of the details of how the programme will work still need to be worked out. The enforcement won’t begin until September 13. Vaccination cards will be accepted as proof of inoculation, along with state and city apps.

As Delta variant spreads, US states impose vaccination checks, mandatory masking

De Blasio is focusing on getting as many New Yorkers vaccinated and is still resisting calls to mandate masks indoors like other cities.

According to an official data, about 66% of adults in New York City are fully vaccinated.

Also read: Why CDC recommends fully vaccinated citizens to wear masks indoors

On Monday, the US reached its goal of inoculating 70% Americans with at least one COVID-19 vaccine. It is a month late by Joe Biden’s July 4 promise. The US is currently reporting a COVID-19 surge by the delta variant. It has overwhelmed hospitals and prompting renewed pandemic regulations around the country.