Los Angeles leaders approved one of the strictest COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the country: it will be required of everyone who enters bars, restaurants, gyms, nail salons and even basketball games.
The city council voted 11-2 in favor of the ordinance that will require proof of vaccination beginning Nov. 4.
The council postponed a vote last week to deal with issues such as firings for non-compliance to whether employees could end up in fistfights when they have to act as vaccine monitors at the doors of establishments.
Some critics say that a mandate would amount to a segregation of those who either can or do not want to be vaccinated. Others say it is impossible to implement.
Business groups say the municipal mandate will create confusion because Los Angeles County’s vaccine rules – applicable to the city and its suburbs – are less stringent.
However, councilors say the ordinance is aimed at reducing the risk of more COVID-19 infections.
The second most populous city in the country faced a huge increase in cases and hospitalizations last winter and a smaller increase this summer linked to the spread of the delta variant, which is more contagious.
Mayor Eric Garcetti is expected to sign the ordinance. Garcetti voiced his support for a vaccine measure last week, saying. “I don’t want to bury another municipal employee, another policeman, another firefighter.”
The ordinance will require that people be fully vaccinated to enter closed public places such as shopping centers, restaurants, bars, gyms, sports facilities, museums, nail salons and other locations.
Negative coronavirus tests taken within 72 hours of entry to those locations would be required of people with medical or religious exemptions for the vaccine.
Council President Nury Martinez has said it is clear that vaccines are effective, but too many people remain unvaccinated despite wide availability and door-to-door campaigns.
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