Los Angeles expands vaccination requirement for restaurants, bars and other indoor spaces

Los Angeles now holds one of the strictest vaccine mandates in the country, with both city and county officials requiring proof of vaccination for all people age 12 and older to enter certain public indoor establishments, including restaurants, bars and sporting events throughout L.A.

Although two separate measures, the wide-reaching implementation applies to indoor public spaces in both Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles and applies to both patrons and employees of indoor public spaces, including bars, breweries, wineries, nightclubs and lounges in L.A. County, in addition to restaurants, gyms, sports venues and city buildings in L.A. starting Thursday, Oct. 7, with full proof of vaccination required by Nov. 4.

The Los Angeles City Council voted on Wednesday 11-2 to enact the ordinance but unlike the city's rules, results of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours will suffice for entry. For affected businesses in the city of Los Angeles, only proof of vaccination will be accepted, with limited medical and religious exemptions.

"Beginning ... Thursday, October 7, proof of full vaccination or a negative test result will be required to enter outdoor mega events, and proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be required to enter or work in indoor portions of bars, lounges, nightclubs, breweries, wineries, and distilleries in L.A. County," public health officials said in a press statement.

"Vaccinating more Angelenos is our only way out of this pandemic, and we must do everything in our power to keep pushing those numbers up," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement, as he signed an ordinance requiring vaccination among eligible individuals to access indoor public spaces "including, but not limited to, restaurants, bars, gyms, sports arenas, nail salons, and all indoor City facilities" starting Nov. 4. "These new rules will encourage more people to get the shot, and make businesses safer for workers and customers — so that we can save more lives, better protect the vulnerable, and make our communities even safer as we fight this pandemic."

Read more: You'll need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to visit these major theme parks

As previously reported, proof of vaccination or a negative test is now required for people attending both indoor and outdoor "mega events," making Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain, both in Los Angeles County, the first major theme parks in the U.S. to be affected by pandemic-related restrictions issued by their local governing body.

Related: Los Angeles will once again require everyone to wear masks indoors

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Face masks have been required indoors in Los Angeles regardless of vaccination status since July 17. On Sept. 9, the Los Angeles Unified School District announced a vaccine mandate for all students over the age of 12 by Jan. 10, 2022.

Read more: What it's like dining out in LA now that some restaurants require proof of vaccination

On Oct. 6, L.A. County recorded nearly 1,500 new cases of COVID-19, according to data from the county's public health office. Almost 70% of the eligible 8.8 million L.A. residents are fully vaccinated.