Thousands of New York public employees will be suspended from salary for not being vaccinated against COVID-19

Thousands of New York public workers, including police, firefighters and officials, will be suspended from salary this Monday for

the COVID-19

imposed by Mayor Bill de Blasio, putting some of the services at risk. basics of the city.

Among the services that could be affected are garbage collection and the operation of the transport network.

The mayor assured Saturday night that 9 out of 10 municipal workers had already received at least one dose, that is, 91% of the staff.

On Friday night they accounted for 83%.

A New York firefighter receives a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.Seth Wenig / AP

De Blasio's office said about 22,800 employees remain unimmunized, The Wall Street Journal reported.

A spokesman for the mayor acknowledged not knowing if that figure includes employees with exemptions for religious and medical reasons.

Less police and ambulances

Under the city's mandate, those who have not received at least one dose of the vaccine will be placed on unpaid leave, increasing the possibility of a shortage of police, fire and emergency services workers.

New York has

.

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The Fire Department assured that it was prepared to have 20% fewer ambulances in service.

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De Blasio, on the other hand, reiterated that the Sanitation Department

, instead of the usual 8 hours, and will start working on Sundays to ensure that garbage does not accumulate.

The Police Department, a force with some 36,000 officers and 19,000 civilian employees, said 84% were already vaccinated on Sunday.

The Fire Department said its rate reached 80%: 75% from firefighters, 87% from emergency services and 90% from civilian employees.

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro denied reports that some fire stations had been closed due to shortages.

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"The

of some of our members are creating a danger for New Yorkers and their fellow firefighters. They have to return to work or risk the consequences of their actions," he claimed Sunday in a statement.

City officials have considered various measures to address the staff shortage expected Monday.

With information from