Consumers looking for indoor dining in Boston will have to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination beginning in 2022, according to a temporary public health order by Mayor Michelle Wu Monday.
Starting January 15, visitors age 12 and older visiting indoor entertainment venues, fitness centers and indoor dining establishments will have to show proof of at least one vaccine dose, as part of the city’s new B Together initiative. Beginning February 15, proof of a second dose will be required.
Business employees are included in the requirement. Those exempted include “individuals entering for a quick and limited purpose” such as people picking up deliveries, and “professional athletes/sports team, as long as they “are performing or competing in the covered premises.”
Beginning March 1, the first dose requirement will extend to children ages 5-11, with a full two-dose vaccination required by May 1.
Additionally, all city employees will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 along the same timeline, which alters the city’s previous allowance of regular testing as an alternative.
“Vaccination saves lives, and closing vaccination gaps is the best way to support and protect our communities, businesses, and cultural institutions during this pandemic,” Wu said in a conference at Boston City Hall on Monday. “The vast majority of COVID-related hospitalizations are of unvaccinated individuals, which is impacting our entire healthcare system and compromising the health of our communities. Today’s steps to protect community members in certain indoor establishments and throughout our city workforce will help ensure that everyone in Boston will be safe.”
People can show proof of vaccination with “their CDC vaccination card or a photo of their card, any official immunization record or digital image from a pharmacy or health care provider, or on any COVID-19 vaccine verification app,” NBC10 Boston reported. The city is also discussing creating its own mobile app, similar to New York City’s Key app launched in August.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker also issued a statewide mask mandate this week for indoor spaces, and announced he’d be activating up to 500 members of the National Guard to assist hospitals.
As of December 14, 79% of Boston residents (adults and children) had received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 68% were fully vaccinated, according to the order. About 31% had received a booster shot.
The city is now averaging 369 new COVID-19 cases each day – an 89% increase from the end of November, according to NBC10.
Lamplighter Brewing Closes its Cambridge Taproom Over COVID-19 Surge
Lamplighter Brewing Company has closed its taproom in Cambridge, Massachusetts, citing concern for rising COVID-19 cases.
“Out of an abundance of caution, and with our community’s best interests at heart, we’ve made the difficult decision to close the taproom for the time being,” the brewery wrote in a post on its social media channels Tuesday. “The rise in COVID cases reported in our community has been meteoric, and for now this feels like the safest choice.
“We’re sure you’ve seen many of our bar, restaurant, and brewery friends post similar announcements in the recent days,” they continued “Please consider supporting local businesses if you’re able — whether it be by shopping local for the holidays, ordering takeout, or stocking up on gift cards for the new year. This continues to be a real adventure for us, and we’re incredibly grateful for everyone’s support.”
The brewery will keep it’s retail counter open, with cans, bottles and merch available for to-go orders. The location also operates Pepita, a coffee café, out of the taproom, which will remain open for to-go orders as well.
The announcement came one day after the brewery announced a member of its staff had tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend. In a post detailing the incident, the brewery said it did not believe there was an exposure risk to any customers who had visited.
“All of our staff are fully vaccinated, wear masks at work, and take our collective health incredibly seriously,” Lamplighter continued in the post. “We are devastated this news has come so close to the holidays, a time when many of us seek community the most.”
Notch Brewing Announces Vaccine Requirement Ahead of City Mandates
Salem, Massachusetts-based Notch Brewing will now require proof of at least one COVID-19 vaccination shot to visit its taprooms in Salem and Boston’s Brighton neighborhood, effective December 22.
Notch announced the requirement on Instagram Wednesday, and said it is “pending ordinances from the cities of Boston and Salem.”
The Brighton location is subject to Boston regulations, including the mandate Wu issued Monday. The Salem Board of Health is set to vote today on whether it will extend similar vaccine requirements, WCVB reported.
Additionally, Notch said masks will be required whenever patrons are not seated or actively eating or drinking, and that all brewery events through the end of the year have been canceled.
Update, 4:10 p.m. ET on December 22: Due to positive COVID-19 tests among some staff members, Notch’s Salem location will be closed through Sunday, December 26, the brewery wrote on social media. The Brighton location remains open.
Chicago to Require Proof of Vaccination at Indoor Venues, Effective January 3
In Chicago, patrons age 5 and older will have to show proof of vaccination to dine or drink indoors, visit gyms or attend events at entertainment venues where food and beverages are served beginning January 3.
“New steps must be taken to protect the health and wellbeing of our residents,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a press release. “This public health order requiring proof of vaccination to visit certain indoor public places is a necessary measure to ensure we can continue to enjoy our city’s many amenities as we enter the new year.”
The change was announced Tuesday, but one Chicago craft brewery, Off Color Brewing decided to implement the requirement early.
No reason to wait until the 3rd. Starting tomorrow, December 22nd, proof of vaccination will be required to drink on-premise at @ocmousetrap.
— Off Color Brewing (@OffcolorBrewing) December 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/OffcolorBrewing/status/1473388672099799047
Patrons are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or two weeks after a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, according to the city’s website. Vaccination cards, digital photos of vaccination cards, or an official immunization record from the jurisdiction where the vaccine was administered are accepted as proof of vaccination.
Employees are not required to be vaccinated, but unvaccinated workers must be tested weekly and wear masks.
Proof of vaccination is required for diners visiting outdoor structures “with a roof or overhang that is enclosed on at least three sides,” the city’s website reads.
“The order does not cover temporary outdoor structures for multiple parties that have at least 50% of the sides open to allow airflow nor dining structures for individual parties, such as plastic domes, that have adequate ventilation to allow for air circulation,” it continued.
Other Half Brewing Cancels its Taprooms’ Scheduled NYE Parties
Other Half Brewing has canceled the New Year’s Eve party planned for its taprooms in Washington, D.C., and at Domino Park in Brooklyn, New York.
“We were really hoping to throw a rager celebrating the new year but due to the recent spike in COVID cases, we have made the decision to forgo having our scheduled NYE event,” the brewery wrote on Instagram. “We want to make sure we’re taking the right precau to ensure the safety of our staff and guests.”
Per New York City requirements, patrons at Other Half’s Brooklyn taprooms are required to show proof of vaccination and staff are required to wear masks while working.