Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that a first-in-the-nation vaccine mandate for New York City employees at private businesses will begin Dec. 27. 

“The private sector mandate will go into effect on Dec. 27,” says de Blasio. “This is the boldest action in the nation.” 

He says this action is needed to get ahead of continuing COVID-19 challenges as cases continue to rise in the state. New York City workers in the private sector will need to show proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Dec. 27. 

According to the mayor, almost 180,000 businesses throughout the city will be affected. 

The mayor hopes this will help the number of adults with at least one dose of the vaccine to be higher than the 90% he says already have it. 

Owner and founder of Bodega and Small Business Association of NY says it is up to his employees if they want to get vaccinated. He will not fire anyone who refuses. 

"They don't want to do it and they said they won't do it,” says Francisco Marte. “We have to respect them." 

He says he will try to convince his employees to get vaccinated, but it will take more education within the community to help them understand. 

During his morning briefing, the mayor stated 76 business improvement districts have been consulted to help provide guidance for the mandate. 

Workers will need to get their second dose 45 days after the mandate begins, which is around mid-February.