New Los Angeles Health Order Will Require Proof of COVID Vaccination for Indoor Areas of Bars, Nightclubs, and Wineries

LOS ANGELES (KABC) – A new Los Angeles County health order will be issued later this week requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all customers and employees in indoor areas of bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs and lounges , the county public health director announced on Wednesday.

Customers and employees will be required to receive at least one dose of the vaccine by Oct. 7 and receive the second by Nov. 4, according to Dr. Barbara Ferrer.

The order will strongly recommend, but will not require, vaccine verification for interior portions of restaurants.

The order will also require all attendees, employees and attendees of outdoor “mega-events” – those in which 10,000 or more people attend – to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours.

“This amended health official’s order aligns with the continued need to reduce the risk of transmission and increase immunization coverage,” Ferrer told the county watchdog. “This is a reasonable path forward that will position us to be better able to break the cycle of surges.”

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Ferrer said county health officials “believe that targeted vaccination warrants are now a very important strategy to rapidly increase immunization coverage in our county and end the pandemic.”

The vaccination and testing requirement for mega outdoor events – including Dodgers, Rams and Chargers games – will go into effect on October 7. Officials say regardless of vaccination status, a mask will always be required for mega-events.

Attendees of mega indoor events of 5,000 or more are already required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test.

Ferrer said the county would work with operators at all affected sites to discuss implementation strategies. She noted that the mandate to check vaccines at indoor bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs and lounges shouldn’t be onerous for businesses, as they already have to verify customers’ IDs for s ” ensure they are of legal drinking age.

The restrictions will be included in a revised order for health workers expected to be released by Friday in an effort to vaccinate more people against the virus, Ferrer told the oversight board.

City News Service contributed to this report.