Two major cities are gearing up to ban unvaccinated people from several places this weekend. Both Boston and Washington, D.C., have vaccine mandates going into effect on Jan. 15 for most indoor places. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced the new policy in mid-December, as cases in the city started to increase significantly because of the Omicron variant.
According to Wu's order, people 12 years or older will be required to present proof of at least one dose of a COVID vaccine before entering indoor food services, indoor entertainment and event venues, and indoor gyms and fitness settings. The mandate will then evolve in phases throughout the year, with full vaccination being required from individuals 12 and over as of Feb. 15, proof of one dose being required from individuals 5 years and over as of March 1, and full vaccination being required from this age group as of May 1.