Elected officials call for vaccine requirements to be enforced for travel

The new vaccine mandate policy from the Biden administration comes after the surge in delta variant cases, in the city and around the country.

News 12 Staff

Sep 18, 2021, 12:42 AM

Updated 974 days ago

Share:

As the coronavirus vaccine mandates roll out all over the city for indoor facilities, some officials are calling for vaccine requirements for air travel. 
Proof of vaccination mandates have been handed to indoor restaurants, fitness centers and now state officials are calling for air travel to be included on that list. 
Rep. Ritchie Torres and City Council member Mark Levine joined together at City Hall Park to urge lawmakers to include air travel in the vaccine mandates that the Biden administration rolled over a week ago. 
The current policy mandates health care workers, federal employees and businesses with over 100 employees to receive vaccinations or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. 
Both Torres and Levine agree that vaccine mandates should apply to air travel because of how many visitors come into the state daily. 
The new vaccine mandate policy from the Biden administration comes after the surge in delta variant cases, in the city and around the country. 
Torres says the cases affect Black and brown people at a disproportionate rate--mentioning the Bronx and his home borough which was ravaged by the coronavirus. 
The officials used a recent study from Monmouth University to back up their claim of requiring proof of vaccinations to fly. In the study, it found that 59% of American support the idea of requiring a vaccine mandate for air travel. 
Vaccine mandates for travel were not included in the recent rollout of mandates from the Biden administration. But the TSA recently announced that that fines will be doubled for passengers refusing to wear a mask.


More from News 12
0:15
Superintendent: Swastika found on classroom desk at Harborfields High School

Superintendent: Swastika found on classroom desk at Harborfields High School

1:56
Mostly cloudy skies and dry conditions on Long Island

Mostly cloudy skies and dry conditions on Long Island

Guide: School Vote 2024 budgets and tax informaton

Guide: School Vote 2024 budgets and tax informaton

0:39
Police: Man injured in Wyandanch shooting; suspect at large

Police: Man injured in Wyandanch shooting; suspect at large

1:59
Greenlawn teen arrested, accused of making ‘threat of mass harm’ at Oldfield Middle School

Greenlawn teen arrested, accused of making ‘threat of mass harm’ at Oldfield Middle School

0:51
Vet Fest in Farmingdale aims to support, encourage veterans who need help

Vet Fest in Farmingdale aims to support, encourage veterans who need help

0:17
Authorities: George Washington Bridge climber in custody

Authorities: George Washington Bridge climber in custody

0:32
Police: 3 people arrested during State Liquor Authority compliance check at Huntington Station deli

Police: 3 people arrested during State Liquor Authority compliance check at Huntington Station deli

2:28
How did a Nassau County doctor overprescribe highly addictive pain pills, despite strict laws in place?

How did a Nassau County doctor overprescribe highly addictive pain pills, despite strict laws in place?

1:43
CDC urges people to get vaccinated amid resurgence of mpox

CDC urges people to get vaccinated amid resurgence of mpox

1:46
Hit-and-run on South Oyster Bay Rd. in Plainview leaves woman with concussion, 6 staples in head

Hit-and-run on South Oyster Bay Rd. in Plainview leaves woman with concussion, 6 staples in head

0:26
Principal: Student approached by van full of men in ski masks in Selden

Principal: Student approached by van full of men in ski masks in Selden

1:39
Montauk Music Festival rocks the East End

Montauk Music Festival rocks the East End

2:06
Homeowners asked to check home security video after string of Nassau County break-ins

Homeowners asked to check home security video after string of Nassau County break-ins

0:24
Police: Hempstead man exposed, touched himself inappropriately at Roosevelt Field Mall

Police: Hempstead man exposed, touched himself inappropriately at Roosevelt Field Mall

0:51
Plainview-Old Bethpage hosts basketball team from Israel impacted by Oct. 7 attacks

Plainview-Old Bethpage hosts basketball team from Israel impacted by Oct. 7 attacks

1:24
Nassau County high school seniors take part in aerial simulation exercise

Nassau County high school seniors take part in aerial simulation exercise

1:53
Toys for Tots make contribution to Promise of Hope Foundation to honor fallen Detective Jonathan Diller

Toys for Tots make contribution to Promise of Hope Foundation to honor fallen Detective Jonathan Diller

2:29
Museum of American Armor hosting 10th anniversary of World War II Encampment weekend

Museum of American Armor hosting 10th anniversary of World War II Encampment weekend

1:55
12-year-old prodigy set to become Malverne High School’s youngest graduate

12-year-old prodigy set to become Malverne High School’s youngest graduate