Category: What’s Happening This Month

The required posters regarding NYC’s new COVID regulations for certain indoor activities may be downloaded from SBS. However, you may also pick one up at the BID office, 3800 East Tremont Avenue, 2nd floor. Please call first to insure available supplies.

NYC’s required vaccination program for businesses, entitled “Key to NYC” is now in effect.  

 Inspections and enforcement will begin the week of September 13. 

 Staff and customers age 12 and older are now required to show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO.       

Indoor dining  Includes restaurants, catering halls, event spaces, hotel banquet rooms, bars, nightclubs, cafeterias, grocery stores with indoor dining, coffee shops and fast food or quick service with indoor dining
·       Indoor fitness  Includes gyms, fitness centers, fitness classes, pools, indoor studios and dance studios
·       Indoor entertainment  Includes movie theaters, music and concert venues, museums and galleries, 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 and indoor play areas

If your business is covered by this 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).

This policy is in effect as of August 17, and enforcement will begin on September 13. Businesses that do not comply with this policy will be subject to fines.

To comply with this policy:·  Place the Vaccination Required Poster for Businesses in a place that is clearly visible to people before they enter your business.      

Become familiar with the accepted proofs of vaccination listed above.·       

Develop a written implementation plan that will be available for inspection. This should include how you will check the vaccination status of staff and customers before they enter — or immediately after they enter — your business.

Help your staff get vaccinated: Consider hanging posters about the COVID-19 vaccines in break rooms and provide information about where to get vaccinated.

If you are a small business and have questions about this policy, call NYC Department of Small Business Services hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).

Proof of VaccinationProof of vaccination may include:·       

NYC COVID Safe App·       Excelsior Pass·       CDC Vaccination Card (or photo)·       NYC Vaccination Record·       An official immunization record from outside NYC or the U.SIf you received the vaccine outside the U.S., you must have an official immunization record that includes:·       First name and last name·       Date of birth·       Vaccine product name (only vaccines authorized by the WHO are acceptable)·       Date(s) administered·       Site where the vaccine was administered, or name of the person who administered it

Further Information

Affected small businesses with questions can call the NYC Department of Small Business Services hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692) or 311.
Visit nyc.gov/keytonyc to find additional resources for businesses, including printable copies of required signage, a Key to NYC Pass checklist, FAQs, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions can be found here: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/covid/covid-19-key-to-nyc-faq.pdf

Download and print the required poster: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/covid/posters/covid-19-vaccine-required-poster.pdf

Discrimination Complaints

Indoor dining, fitness and entertainment venues must accept valid proof that you received at least one dose of any vaccine authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO. This requirement may not be used as an excuse for businesses to discriminate against anyone who has valid vaccination proof.You have a right to be free from discrimination or harassment. If you believe you have been discriminated against because of who you are, including your race, national origin or disability, contact the NYC Commission on Human Rights.

The Throggs Neck Business Improvement District (The BID) vehemently opposes the construction of housing or commercial development at the former Better Gro site and the adjacent lots or buildings until there is total and complete consultation, input and approval of local residents, community leaders and organizations, and the community planning board.

This massive, out-of-character development proposal, which has been shrouded in secrecy, has just been sprung upon the community without any details regarding its size or scope. It is totally out of step with our one-and two-family home neighborhood and its small shops.

This will radically alter the nature of our community, adding untold congestion, overwhelming our schools, transportation systems, basic services and infrastructure.

McDonalds will host an opportunity to meet our Fire Department Heroes.

Come to the newly renovated McDonalds at 3660 East Tremont Avenue this Sunday, July 18, from 11–1pm.

Legislation (S.6353-A/A.7733) has been approved allowing restaurants to utilize municipal spaces like sidewalks and streets for outdoor dining. First granted under an executive order by the Governor, this law allows restaurants to continue using these public spaces for another year as they recover from the economic devastation brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Initially issued in June 2020 and expiring after a year, the Governor’s executive order allowed restaurants and bars to serve their patrons food or beverages on-premises in outdoor space while their indoor capacity was limited. Specifically, these establishments were permitted to expand the licensed premises to use public space such as sidewalks or closed streets, subject to reasonable limitations and procedures set by the State Liquor Authority and the safety and supervision plans of the local municipality.

Restaurant usage of outdoor public space must meet all federal, state, and local laws, rules, and guidance, according to the signed legislation. Restaurants must also have a temporary use permit from the municipality, which is tasked with ensuring the public space is used in a safe, orderly manner. New applicants will need to provide community notification in a manner consistent state Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.

The new “NYC Business Quick Start” is officially described as an $11 million concierge service for small businesses. Its goal is to cut processing time by 50% and guarantee a 48-hour response to all small business inquiries. It will provide small businesses a sole point of contact to help navigate City regulations, as well as a public dashboard. The program guarantees a 48-hour response to all small business inquiries and will cut processing time by 50 percent. The program is a collaboration between 100 City personnel across a host of agencies, including SBS, Department of Buildings (DOB), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).