A growing number of bars and restaurants in Southern California now require people to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination before they can enter. Patrons can also show a negative test result within 72 hours of arrival.
According to the website L.A. Taco, The Short Stop, Footsie’s, Blind Barber, Bar Henry, The Lash, Melody Lounge and Gold Diggers Bar are among the more than a dozen bars requiring proof of vaccination.
The establishments said the changes are due to the county’s recent surge in COVID cases.
The county has reported more than 10,000 cases in the past week. On Monday, 1,233 new COVID cases were reported, the eleventh straight day that case numbers reached at least 1,000.
Dr. John Swartzberg, a professor of public health at University of California, Berkeley, told KNX the trajectory of daily infections is increasing at a “disturbingly fast” rate.
“The time to stop that slope from going up is now, not when we’re at a lot higher number of cases per day,” he added.
Business owners in the LA area seem to agree.
“It’s been a [sh***y] 15 months for everyone, especially businesses in hospitality and live venues.” Bar Henry in Echo Park said in an Instagram post from last Sunday.
“Let’s do what we can together to avoid taking steps backwards.”
Some businesses are going further than just requiring proof of vaccination. t The Echo Plex will require everyone to wear a mask, which is in line with LA County guidelines. But also, staff will temporarily stop accepting cash, and patrons are allowed to bring only small plastic, vinyl, or see-through bags.
Some public health officials have already started calling for different rules for unvaccinated people. Dr. David Agus, a professor at USC's Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, said vaccinated people stop having to pay a price because of people who refuse to get their shots.
“Start to give differential privileges, that’s decidedly unpopular for politicians, but unfortunately it’s the only thing that can be done now. Or else, we’re going to have to close down again," said Agus.
The website reported that County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis could be implementing stricter restrictions if the county’s numbers do not improve.
“All options are on the table,” Davis said at a press conference last Thursday.