New Orleans government announced it will expand its mandate for a COVID-19 vaccine, or negative test, to include children aged 5 and older for indoor settings.
Other cities that will have COVID-19 vaccine mandates enacted for public indoor settings for those aged 5 and over include Philadelphia and New York City.
New Orleans’ decision comes as its public school system is also introducing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students aged 5 and up, making it the first such requirement of its kind in the United States, reported Nola.com.
“We will require proof of vaccination or a negative test at bars and restaurants and other locations for everyone ages 5 and over. Children ages 5 to 11 will be required to show proof of at least one vaccine dose,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell said at a press conference.
That mandate will start on Jan. 3.
requirement will expand to two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, by Feb. 1, which is four weeks before Mardi Gras begins on March 1. A negative test will also still suffice.
school COVID-19 mandates will also be in effect Feb. 1.
Earlier this week, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said the state’s health department will add the COVID-19 vaccine to Louisiana’s list of required immunizations for students.
“All of Louisiana’s current opt-out provisions for parents will remain in place, meaning no child is forced to get a vaccine if their parents object in writing,” according to a press release from his office.
Previously, New Orleans’ vaccine mandate applied to those aged 12 and up. Only the Los Angeles United School District has imposed a similar school mandate for children aged 12 and older, and offers the COVID-19 vaccine to the 5 to 11 age group. school district delayed its December COVID-19 vaccine mandate deadline for children aged 12 and up until the fall of 2022 after some 28,000 students remain unvaccinated.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 on Nov. 2.
Louisiana has 56.5 percent of its population having received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 49 percent fully vaccinated, as of Dec. 14.
Pezou : New Orleans Mandates COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Aged 5 and Up for Indoor Settings