New Health Order Will Require Proof Of Vaccination Or Negative Test At Bars, Clubs, Outdoor Mega Events Of 10,000 People Or More
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A new health order requiring people attending an outdoor mega event of 10,000 or more to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 will be issued later this week, according to Los Angeles County public health officials.
The order will not only apply to large-scale events but will also require proof of vaccination for all customers and employees of indoor portions of bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs and lounges.
"I think in a bar people really talk and they drink and can get out of control and they talk loudly and you spit without realizing it," said Arlene Singer, a bar patron in LA. "And I think it's a great idea."
But with so many breakthrough cases, some patrons think this new ordinance is just picking on some of the hardest-hit establishments— bars, nightclubs, and lounges that don't serve food— many of which were closed for a year.
For restaurants, however, vaccine verification will be recommended for employees and customers of indoor portions of restaurants.
The owner of Bar Calo In Echo Park said he already requires customers to show proof of vaccination.
"A majority of people have it on their phones and everybody has been really cool about it because most of the people who come in want the same thing," said Josh Goldman. "They want to get back to normal."
Los Angeles County Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer told the Board of Supervisors that "targeted vaccine mandates" are key to quickly raising vaccination rates and ending the pandemic.
The new health order for outdoor mega-events – such as Dodgers, Rams, and Charger games – will take effect on Oct. 7. People attending indoor mega-events of 5,000 or more were already required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test.