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"It's tough to watch what's unfolding in Afghanistan, having served there. What's most disheartening and of immediate concern to me, though, is the uncertainty of the safety of the Afghan people I got to know and worked with regularly. They trusted us and, in doing so, risked much."


- Quamid Francis, Chief of Staff for the NYC Department of Veterans' Services 

Quamid Francis is a veteran of the War in Afghanistan and spent eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Financial Auditor and Contract Payment Certifying Official. He also deployed aboard the naval amphibious assault ship USS Essex as part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducting multinational operations across the Asia-Pacific region.

NYC Vaccine Mandate Starts Today

Starting today, August 17th, people 12 and older will be required to show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter indoor dining, indoor fitness, and indoor entertainment venues (see a full list below) as part of NYC's Key to NYC vaccine mandate. You can use the paper CDC card (or a photo of the card), the Excelsior Pass, NYC COVID Safe app (Android or iOS), NYC Vaccination Record, or an official immunization record from outside NYC or the U.S.

Customers and staff at the following venues will need to show proof of vaccination:

  • Restaurants
  • Catering halls
  • Hotel banquet rooms
  • Bars
  • Nightclubs
  • Cafeterias
  • Grocer Stores with indoor dining 
  • Coffee Shops
  • Fast food/quick service with indoor dining
  • Gyms
  • Fitness centers
  • Fitness classes
  • Pools
  • Indoor studios
  • Dance studios
  • Indoor entertainment 
  • Movie theaters
  • Music and concert venues
  • Aquariums and zoos
  • Professional sports arenas
  • Indoor stadiums
  • Convention centers 
  • Exhibition halls
  • Performing arts theaters
  • Bowling alleys
  • Arcades 
  • Pool and billiard halls
  • Recreational game centers
  • Adult entertainment 
  • Indoor play areas
Learn more at nyc.gov/keytonyc

Vaccine Mandate Information for Businesses

If your business is covered by the new vaccine mandate requirement, you will be required to check the vaccination status of all staff and customers 12 and older. You may not permit entry to anyone 12 and older who has not received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. You can make an exception for allowing customers to use the bathroom or for another reason that will take a small amount of time (e.g. less than 10 minutes).

Enforcement will begin on September 13th. Businesses that do not comply with this policy will be subject to fines. 

If you suspect a customer or employee is trying to use a fake proof of vaccination, you can:

  • call 311 or file a complaint online
  • call 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226)
  • email STOPVAXFRAUD@health.ny.gov

If you have questions about this policy, please call the NYC Department of Small Business Services hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692). You can also learn more about what businesses need to do for the Key to NYC here.

Businesses can let their customers know they are participating in the Key to NYC vaccine mandate by putting this poster in a visible spot (example below).

How to Get Vaccinated for COVID-19
Schedule Online:
You can schedule a vaccine appointment at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (1-877-829-4692).

Walk-ins Welcome:
All New Yorkers can now get their COVID-19 vaccine by simply walking into any of the CIty's 11 public hospital locations! To find a walk-up vaccination site near you, click here. 

Get Vaccinated at Home:
All New Yorkers can request an in-home vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine. Fill out this form to get started or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).

Interested in a Career in
Software Development?

Are you a veteran or veteran family member interested in pursuing a career in software development, and you currently earn less than $35,000 annually? Then you may want to learn more about an upcoming job training and placement partnership program DVS will soon launch. Please click on the following link to receive more information:

 Yes, I would like to learn more about this opportunity.

DVS Programs and Initiatives

Get the Benefits You Deserve
DVS represents NYC veterans in claims for benefits from the VA. During a time of economic crisis and high unemployment, we wanted to ensure that every veteran got the financial benefits they earned. To file a claim, fill out the form at VetConnectNYC.org (select "Benefits Navigation" as your preferred service).

Feeding Veterans in Need
DVS partnered with GetFoodNYC to help deliver food to homebound veterans. We're also working to distribute HelloFresh meals to veteran families. Request food or learn how to volunteer to prepare meal kits by submitting your information to VetConnectNYC.

Ending Veteran Homelessness
Over the past five years, our housing team has moved over 1,000 veterans from shelters and into permanent housing. Learn more about DVS's efforts to end veteran homelessness in NYC here.

Making Support Calls to Veterans Across NYC
Mission: VetCheck is an initiative that allows volunteers to make supportive check-in calls to New York City veterans. Volunteers provide veterans with vital information on essential public services, COVID-19 testing and vaccine information, and online mental health resources. Learn how you can volunteer or request a check-in call here.
 

Veteran-Owned Business Map

The NYC Department of Veterans’ Services has launched VetBizNYC, an interactive map that identifies veteran-owned businesses across NYC. New Yorkers can use VetBizNYC to find veteran-owned businesses near them and support those who served!

Veteran Oral History Project
The Veteran Voices Project (VVP) is an oral history initiative designed to preserve the stories of NYC's veterans. Listen to full recordings of veterans sharing their stories at our Veterans Voices Project oral history library.

How DVS Responded to the Pandemic
Making supportive calls. Distributing face masks. Preparing meal kits. Housing the homeless. Processing VA benefit claims. Watch this video to learn how DVS responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SITREP NYC: NYC's Official Veteran Podcast

Listen to SITREP NYC, NYC's official veteran-focused podcast, to hear stories from veterans who are often ignored and underserved. Hear the complete season here or see below for a list of episodes:

Stories of Transition

The Black Veteran Experience

 

LGBT Veteran Stories

The Health of Women Veterans

DVS Website

DVS updated its website to help EVERY veteran find the services that are right for them. Whether you're a student, transitioning, woman, LGBT, or a senior veteran - nyc.gov/vets has what you need.

 

Contact DVS
Please follow us at www.nyc.gov/vets, on social media @nycveterans, or via email at connect@veterans.nyc.gov. 

  

 
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New York City Department of Veterans' Services 
1 Centre Street, Suite 2208
New York, NY 10007 
(212) 416-5250
www.nyc.gov/vets


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