San Francisco and New Orleans are latest US cities to institute vaccine mandates
In the strictest COVID-19 vaccine ruling implemented thus far, San Francisco will become the first major U.S. city to require proof of full vaccination for certain indoor activities for all those age 12 and older starting Aug. 20, city officials announced on Aug. 12.
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San Francisco
The mandate will require businesses in "high-contact indoor sectors," specifically those that serve food or drink (i.e., bars, restaurants, clubs, theaters and entertainment venues) and indoor gyms/other fitness establishments to obtain COVID-19 vaccination proof from patrons and employees in order to provide service inside. The new proof-of-vaccination requirement will also extend to indoor events, public and private, with 1,000-plus people, San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax said in a press release on Aug. 12.
Related: Even as cable cars return to San Francisco, Bay Area reinstates face mask orders
“We know that for our city to bounce back from the pandemic and thrive, we need to use the best method we have to fight COVID-19 and that’s vaccines,” Breed said in the statement. “Many San Francisco businesses are already leading the way by requiring proof of vaccination for their customers because they care about the health of their employees, their customers, and this City. This order builds on their leadership and will help us weather the challenges ahead and keep our businesses open. Vaccines are our way out of the pandemic, and our way back to a life where we can be together safely.”
The rule will not apply to individuals ordering or picking up food or drink to go at bars or restaurants. The vaccination requirement for indoor events will take effect Aug. 20, excluding those events before Sept. 15 whose tickets were sold before Aug. 12. In these cases, event hosts may allow proof of a negative COVID-19 test instead. City officials are "strongly urging" sponsors of outdoor events with more than 5,000 people to adhere to the new vaccination mandate as well.
“In this phase of the pandemic, we must optimize the powerful tool of vaccines to protect us as we fully reopen to business,” Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax said in the statement. “These past few weeks have demonstrated how important it is that everyone eligible is vaccinated as we resume normal activities.”
The city's health order is designed to protect against the spread of COVID-19 among the unvaccinated while ensuring businesses and schools remain open.
By Oct. 13, San Francisco health care providers will also be expected to show proof of vaccination in order to continue working in certain health care facilities, including adult day centers, residential care facilities, and dental offices, as well as home health aides and pharmacists not already covered by an existing state health vaccination order.
New York City
Although this marks the first big U.S. city to institute a wide-reaching vaccination mandate for many indoor activities, New York City was the first to require proof of at least one dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccination for a variety of indoor activities, including dining, gyms and theaters, beginning Sept. 13.
Related: Broadway will require vaccination and masks to attend shows
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is moving closer to implementing a vaccine mandate in indoor public settings, including restaurants, gyms, retail stores, theaters, concert venues and stadiums, after the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved such a measure on Aug. 11.
Related: US surgeon general warns of misinformation as delta variant surges
New Orleans
Also this week, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced a new vaccine requirement for many indoor activities starting Aug. 16. Proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test will be required among attendees age 12 and older for activities that have a high transmission risk, including indoor dining and bars, indoor gyms and fitness, indoor entertainment and large outdoor events.
"This is in addition to the indoor mask mandate and in an effort to curb the unprecedented level of hospitalizations statewide and the growing number of deaths due to the more contagious and more deadly Delta variant," Cantrell said on Aug. 12.
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- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees