Alison McLean
Audio By Carbonatix
On Monday, New York City restaurants had to begin enforcing the Key to NYC vaccine pass, which requires diners to show proof of at least one dose of a vaccine if they want to sit inside the restaurant. The policy has been in effect since mid-August but just this week was being fully implemented.
Restaurants that fail to ask customers for proof of vaccine can be fined up to $1,000. And NYC officials have promised routine inspections. Proof of vaccination is not required to dine outdoors.
On Thursday night, a group from Texas took issue with a hostess at the Italian restaurant Carmine’s after she asked the group for proof of vaccine. In a video obtained by NBC, you can see her being punched as others try to pull the diners away.
A hostess at a well-known New York City restaurant was attacked just for asking to see a group’s proof of COVID vaccination, a requirement to dine inside in the city.https://t.co/nliPHexjRP
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) September 17, 2021
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Marcia Todd was dining inside Carmine’s at the time of the incident and told NBC New York, “Businesses have a role and the citizens have a role, so I think we all have to be responsible and play our part.”
The role of businesses includes behind held responsible for the fine. Unfortunately, restaurants are once again the first line of defense, particularly the hostess stand.
