LA Looking At A Vax Pass To Live Life In The City
In a similar fashion to New York City, Los Angeles will consider a proposal to require proof of COVID-19 inoculation as a condition of entry at a host of indoor public spaces.
The Los Angeles Times reports that if passed, it would be the widest-ranging vaccination-verification effort in the city yet.
Council President Nury Martinez and Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell introduced the motion Wednesday which would require eligible individuals to demonstrate that they’ve received at least one vaccination dose to visit indoor places such as restaurants, bars, retail stores, gyms, spas, movie theaters, stadiums and concert venues, the newspaper reports.
“Enough is enough already,” Martinez said in a statement. “Hospital workers are exhausted, moms who have put aside their careers are tired, and our kids cannot afford the loss of another school year. We have three vaccines that work and are readily available, so what’s it going to take? Our kids are about to return to school, and the unvaccinated are putting their lives at risk every day. Ask your questions, talk to your doctor and get the vaccine. Let’s put this behind us.”
De Blasio mentioned that cities in California and the federal government were following New York City's lead, and that the mandate encourages increased immunizations to combat the spread of the delta coronavirus variant.
“It’s time for people to see vaccines as literally necessary to living a good and full and healthy life,” de Blasio said.
As of now, The LA Times reports that California has not implemented the sort of widespread vaccination-verification now planned in New York City.
When asked about New York’s decision, the California Department of Public Health responded: “California led the way by requiring vaccine verification of state and health care employees and continues to encourage local governments and business to follow suit. State guidelines allow community leaders to establish rules based on local conditions.”
L.A. County is also “not requiring proof of vaccination for customers to enter specific businesses at this point in time,” though public health officials added in a statement Tuesday that they “applaud those businesses that are assessing risks to their employees and customers and adding additional layers of protection, including requiring proof of vaccination," the newspaper reports.
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