In an 11-2 vote, the Los Angeles City Council voted to enact a vaccine mandate that would require people to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 in order to enter indoor public places.
The ordinance requires anyone entering stadiums, movie theaters, gyms, restaurants and bars to show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from with 72 hours of entry. Mayor Eric Garcetti signed the ordinance into law Wednesday afternoon.
“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,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “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.”
Wednesday's vote indicates that the ordinance to require vaccinations will move forward. However, several members were absent, and the full 12 votes were required to pass the ordinance with an "urgency clause," according to the city attorney. This means the mandate will not be in effect until Nov. 4.
To be eligible for exemptions to the mandate, patrons must provide self-attestation that they have a medical condition or restriction that requires them.
Councilman Paul Koretz had two recommendations for the city council to consider, including that any businesses that receive violations be required to prominently display those violations at the entrance in order to warn the public.
“I know that I would personally take pause when walking into a restaurant that had been warned or cited for violations,” Koretz said.
“If patrons look at this the same way they would a department of public health letter grade or inspection score, maybe we would get a greater degree of cooperation and compliance from business owners.”
Koretz also suggested that places with multiple entrances, like shopping malls, be allowed to post signage at all entrances that state vaccinations are required to enter and failure to comply would be grounds for denied entry.
Without objection, City Council President Nury Martinez said the recommendations would be included in the report.
Watch the City Council's vote:
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