New York Senator Brad Hoylman is attempting to close a vaccine mandate loophole that allows performers and athletes who reside out of state to perform without proof of vaccination.
As stated in the guidelines published by the Counsel of the Mayor of New York City last month, performers and athletes scheduled to appear at an indoor entertainment venue in New York City only require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 if they are residents of New York city or are regularly employed by the establishment. That means non-NYC based performers and athletes are exempted from the mandate and can perform without proof of vaccination.
Comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan, whose vaccination status remains unknown, was allowed to perform at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 2 because of NYC’s loophole for out-of-town performers. He is unlikely to be able to perform there again if Sen. Hoylman Fairly Applying Individual Requirements (“FAIR”) Vaccine Mandates Act is passed.
“If New Yorkers attend an entertainment or sporting event they must provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccine,” Hoylman said. “But New York City grants special privileges to out-of-town anti-vaxxers like Joe Rogan and NBA star Bradley Beal. This loophole puts the health of New Yorkers at risk, so I’ve introduced the FAIR Vaccines Mandate Act to close it. Our message is simple: Get jabbed or get outta town.”
If passed in time, the new bill could also prevent several UFC fighters from being able to compete at UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 6. This includes former Bellator champion Michael Chandler, who previously claimed he was waiting for the vaccine to be “100 percent FDA approved” before taking it. However, once the vaccines were approved by the FDA in September 2021, Chandler changed his mind, stating “I don’t want it. FDA approval or not. Real enough for you?”
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