Union Square Hospitality Group’s Danny Meyer announced Wednesday that customers will have to present proof they received a Covid booster injection in order to dine inside its restaurants starting in 2015.

Meyer said that new employees must be given the booster shot as soon as possible. “Squawk Box.” 

The announcement comes amid an increase in Covid-19 infections, largely due to the highly contagious variant of Omicron. Although this coronavirus strain can infect people even if they have been immunized, data shows that it is still possible to infect those not vaccinated. people, especially those who have received booster shotsThey have a lower risk of death or hospitalization.

Meyer stated, “At that point the science has changed.” It has been difficult to watch the omicron tsunami sweep through New York City, and perhaps across the nation.

New York’s wave is especially strong, with nearly two-thirds of all new cases of coronavirus occurring in the seven-day period, according to CNBC analysis from Johns Hopkins University data.

“Hospitality is a team sport — it’s kind of like putting on a play on Broadway or playing a basketball game,” the restaurateur added. You’ll have to pause if you are unable to field a healthy and full-fledged team. We will see what happens.

Meyer explained that USGH has begun asking staff to have a third dose within 30 days. Meyer said indoor customers will have to complete the same procedure by January mid-January.

USGH is a prominent presence in New York City. Gramercy Tavern is its flagship restaurant. Manhatta, Union Square Cafe and Manhatta are also among its offerings. Anchovy Social is also available in Washington, D.C.

USGH announced in July it would requiring vaccines for those dining or drinking at the bar indoorsfor their restaurants as well as its employees and new hires. Meyer stated Wednesday that all of the company’s employees are now fully vaccinated. Meyer explained that only a small number of employees chose not to follow the company’s policy.

“The great news is that nearly everyone made it to the end,” he stated.

Meyer also founded the company. Shake Shack and chairman of its board. He said that the fast-casual hamburger chain would make its own decisions regarding booster shots.

“Throughout this entire wave that we’re now going through — while we’ve absolutely seen a ton of breakthrough cases throughout society, throughout New York City, and even in our restaurants — so far not one of the cases that our staff members have encountered have been more than mild symptoms,” said Meyer.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hasn’t changed the definition of “be” yet. fully vaccinatedCovid is not to be considered. Individuals are currently considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second dose from a series of two-dose vaccines, such as the Pfizer–BioNtech vaccine, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

However, last week Dr. Anthony Fauci stated that it was time to redefine what it meant to be completely vaccinated against Covid-19. “on the table.”CNBC’s He said, “There’s no question that optimal vaccination is with a booster.”

Meyer will also be looking into whether Covid testing is part of any precautions it takes to ensure safety for diners as well as employees.

He said, “We are accessing all types of testing for the team because we believe, whenever anybody has asymptom, that they can do that for themselves at their home. Certainly we could do it at the restaurant.” We believe that this will have a tremendous impact on stemming the tide.