going up, the big apple is doubling down on vaccinations. >> if you are unvaccinated, unfortunately you will not be able to participate in many things. >> reporter: new yorkers who want to dine indoors, dance at a nightclub or work out at a gym will have to show proof of vaccination starting next month. >> we're going to use every tool we've got to fight the delta variant and to end the covid era once and for all in this city. that means more and more vaccinations, and we know that strong, clear mandates help. >> reporter: momentum for a vaccine mandate seems to be growing. >> it is time to impose some requirements based on the realities of different risks, unvaccinated individuals pose, versus those who have been vaccinated. >> reporter: meanwhile, businesses are putting in their own rules with masks now back at major retailers and restaurant chains. across the nation, cases are surging with less than half of the population fully vaccinated the u.s. is now averaging more than 85,000 new covid-19 cases per day.