Eric Adams revokes COVID vaccination mandate for NYC workers – but what about the 1,780 layoffs?

Mayor Eric Adams is ending New York City’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination mandate for public employees, but the nearly 2,000 workers fired for refusing to vaccinate won’t automatically get their jobs back.

“With more than 96 percent of city workers and more than 80 percent of New Yorkers receiving their core COVID-19 test series and more affordable tools to keep us healthy, this is the right moment for this decision,” Adams said in a statement. released on Monday.

“I continue to urge every New Yorker to get vaccinated, get boosters, and take the necessary steps to protect themselves and those around them from COVID-19,” Adams said.

But the mayor’s office said the 1,780 now-former city employees fired for refusing vaccination requirements would not automatically get their jobs back and would instead need to reapply.

A spokesman for the mayor said the city would not pay back wages to laid-off workers, but did not provide further details.

A number of employees who have lost positions with the NYPD, the FDNY, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and other agencies have filed lawsuits against the rule since the mandate was first announced in 2021.

REUTERS

Sipa USA via AP

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Also canceled the vaccination rules for private schools, kindergartens and kindergarten.

The change will go into effect this Friday, February 10th.