LOS ANGELES (KNX) — In a major move forward from the coronavirus pandemic, Los Angeles Council members voted Wednesday to end vaccine mandates within the city. However, the decision will not go into effect yet.
For now the approval is tentative, as a unanimous vote was needed and Councilman Mike Bonin dissented. His one "no" vote was all that was needed to put the decision on hold until at least next week.
"There's new variants and new strains all the time," Bonin said. "This BA.2 [variant] is spreading...I hope I'm wrong and this proves to be a foolish vote but I'm still concerned and so I'm gonna vote no."
The item will return before the council on March 30. Then it will need only 12 votes to pass.
That city ordinance, which went into effect on Nov. 8, 2021, requires people over the age of 12 to show proof of vaccination in order to enter restaurants, gyms, entertainment and recreational facilities, personal care establishments and some city buildings.
It also requires proof of vaccination for those attending so-called mega events of more than 5,000 people.
Regardless of the city council's decision next week, individual businesses will still be allowed to require proof of vaccinations before allowing customers to enter.
The city council's tentative decision comes on the first day that the Los Angeles Unified School District has lifted it's indoor mask mandate in two years.
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho told KNX News that the decision of whether or not students want to wear a mask to school is up to them and their parents; however, masks are “strongly encouraged” to be worn.
LAUSD's COVID-19 vaccination mandate for students who are eligible, Carvalho said last December, will remain in place until Fall 2022.
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