New York City Sued by Restaurants for Vaccine Mandate

The City of New York and Major Bill de Blasio are being sued by The Independent Restaurant Owners Association Rescue, Pasticceria Rocco, DeLuca’s Italian Restaurant and Max’s Esca, as well as two gyms – Staten Island Judo Jujitsu and Evolve-33 – due to the new executive order requiring vaccination proof for customers to engage in certain indoor activities in New York City, CNBC reports.

The aforementioned organization and others are asking for an injunction against the executive order. All, with the exception of Pasticceria Rocco, are located in Staten Island. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday with the New York Supreme Court.

Though the reaction is mixed amongst businesses, some restaurants are worried that workers – who are also required to be vaccinated under the policy – would quit and leave owners in a tough position considering the ongoing labor shortage.

Though the policy went into effect this week, enforcement will not officially begin until Sept. 13. It requires patrons to show proof of at least one dose of a Covid vaccine to eat indoors, attend performances or exercise at a gym.