You now need proof of vaccination to enter most indoor spaces in LA
A wide-reaching vaccine mandate covering Los Angeles effective Nov. 8 marks the latest major U.S. city to implement strict COVID-19 measures to access many indoor establishments.
As previously reported, the Los Angeles City Council voted in early October to require proof of full vaccination for all individuals age 12 and older to patronize certain indoor businesses throughout both Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles due to rising COVID-19 case numbers throughout L.A. sparked by the delta variant in August.
Among the affected businesses are bars, breweries, wineries, nightclubs and lounges in L.A. County, in addition to restaurants, gyms, sports venues, museums, spas and city buildings in L.A.
"Proof of full vaccination and photo ID for indoor entry into bars, breweries, wineries, distilleries, nightclubs, and lounges for all patrons and employees goes into effect," L.A. County public health officials said in a statement on Nov. 4. "Patrons now need to be fully vaccinated to be indoors at any of these establishments."
Related: Los Angeles expands vaccination requirement for restaurants, bars and other indoor spaces
The county's vaccine requirement implemented on Nov. 4 complements the city's vaccine verification program that began on Nov. 8.
"[On] November 8, the City of Los Angeles' vaccine verification program, called SafePassLA, goes into effect, and will require proof of full vaccination for entry into the indoor portions of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, breweries, wineries, gyms, spas, nail salons, barbershops, movie theaters, shopping malls, and entertainment and recreation venues," public health officials continued. "This includes indoor portions of City facilities such as LA City Hall, senior centers, recreation centers, and service centers."
Related: Los Angeles will once again require everyone to wear masks indoors
Outdoor megaevents with more than 5,000 attendees are also subject to the vaccination requirement.
Monday's implementation also brought anti-vaccination protests, with attendance by members of the L.A. city and county fire departments and local law enforcement, according to reporting by ABC 7.
To coordinate vaccination proof efforts, the city launched SafePassLA on Nov. 8, enabling residents and visitors to upload proof of vaccination digitally via an app on their phone. Residents can do so by showing a photo ID with any of the below documentation:
- Vaccination record card issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (white card).
- Vaccination record card issued by the World Health Organization (yellow card).
- California Department of Public Health COVID-19 digital vaccination record.
- Other COVID-19 digital vaccination records issued by an approved company.
- Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider or entity.
- California Immunization Registry vaccination record.
More information on acceptable vaccine proof is available here.
There are limited religious and medical exceptions for those wishing to enter indoor establishments without showing proof of vaccination. In those cases, people can show results of a negative COVID-19 test (either a PCR or rapid antigen test) taken within 72 hours of entry, either via a printed document, email confirmation or text message from a test provider or laboratory. Test results must include the person's name, test type, date of the test and negative test result.
More information on showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test in L.A. can be found here.
Those customers without proof can still use outdoor facilities and briefly enter indoor businesses, such as to use a restroom or to facilitate carry-out food.
As of Nov. 7, L.A. County recorded just over 1,100 new cases of COVID-19, according to data from public health officials. More than 80% of L.A. residents are fully vaccinated. The city currently provides free COVID-19 tests at certain drive-thru, walk-up and mobile sites, available here.
Related: Unvaccinated? Think twice before booking trips to these 5 US cities
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