After a brief pause, the city's vaccine mandate for Department of Education employees can go forward.

P.S. 47 in the Bronx is shutting down a classroom starting Thursday because of exposure to the coronavirus. Classrooms across the city are experiencing disruptions as the DOE attempts to stop the spread. The city is also attempting to keep COVID numbers low, but they celebrated a win Wednesday night as a judge lifted the temporary restraining order on the vaccine mandate for teachers and staff at New York City public schools.

This means that by Monday, all school employees need to get at least the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Last week, a coalition of city unions filed a lawsuit against the mandate which caused a temporary restraining order to be put in place. On Wednesday, the court ruled in favor of the city, lifting the restraining order, and allowing the mandate for all teachers and staff to go forward.

The major change with the mandate is that it now states that the mandate would not prohibit legally required accommodations, like religious or medical exemptions. Unions like the United Federation of Teachers are encouraging their members to get vaccinated, but want them to also have the choice.

"This is not the end of the road, and we will continue to fight for the right of workers to make their own health care decisions," says Henry Garrdio, executive director of Union DC 37.