The Los Angeles City Council is expected to end the city’s mandate requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter many indoor establishments and outdoor events this Wednesday.
The City Council took a preliminary step in that direction last Wednesday, when it voted 13-1 to rescind the mandatory vaccination ordinance that went into effect Nov. 8.
But the ordinance to lift the ban needed unanimous approval on its first reading, and Councilman Mike Bonin dissented, requiring a second vote on the issue to take place on Wednesday.
The second reading will require 12 votes for the matter to be approved with an urgency clause, which allows the measure to go into effect as soon as the mayor signs it and the Municipal Secretary publishes it. If it only receives a majority vote, it will still be adopted, but it won’t take effect for another 31 days.
The city mandate requires individuals over the age of 12 to show proof of vaccination before patronizing restaurants, gyms, entertainment and recreational facilities, personal care establishments, and some city buildings.
The law also requires people to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result to attend outdoor events with 5,000 or more people.
Thousands of people began to enjoy the spring holidays, known in English as Spring Break. However, public health specialists point out that even when the pandemic seems to be at its lowest level, it is important to maintain precautions.
Council President Nury Martinez introduced the motion calling for a lifting of the requirement, though even if the council does so, individuals and businesses could still voluntarily require proof of vaccination from patrons.
Bonin, explaining his “no” vote last week, said: “I know it feels like we’re out of the woods. It feels like we’re all back to normal. But there are new variants and new strains all the time. (variant) BA.2 is spreading and we don’t really know what the variant will be in a month or two.”
Martínez responded by saying, “I agree with you on that,” noting that the City Council would have to review vaccination mandates “how to learn to live with this pandemic unfortunately.”
Meanwhile, Los Angeles County will align with the state on Friday and waive the requirement that attendees of indoor mega-events with 1,000 or more people, such as sporting events or concerts, show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a proof negative. The county has already removed its requirement that people show proof of vaccination to frequent the indoor portions of bars, nightclubs and lounges or to attend outdoor mega-events.
Vaccination verification or a negative test is still required for workers in health centers and group care centers.
The easing of vaccine verification requirements follows the lifting of other COVID-19 restrictions, such as indoor mask mandates, in response to declining numbers of infections and hospitalizations.
Despite the relaxation of such restrictions, county health officials continue to urge precautionary measures against the spread of the virus, noting that the BA.2 subvariant of COVID-19 is slowly beginning to spread locally, and will likely gain a strongest foothold in the county, mirroring the pattern seen abroad and in some East Coast cities.
Health officials continued to urge people to take precautionary measures, including face masks in crowded situations, although the mandate no longer exists.
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