Contra Costa County issues order requiring vaccines or negative tests for indoor meals and gyms

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, California – Contra Costa County has issued a county-wide health ordinance requiring customers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test at restaurants, gyms and other indoor businesses where the risk of spreading of COVID-19 is high.

The order goes into effect on September 22 and will require customers to prove they are fully vaccinated or have been tested within the previous three days.

Health officials say Contra Costa County has seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations this summer, due to the increased prevalence of the highly infectious delta variant and unvaccinated residents.

While the worst of the last peak has apparently passed, Contra Costa County is still seeing daily case rates comparable to February. Between August 15 and August 31, there were 15 COVID-19-related deaths in the county. This number rose to 20 between September 1 and September 7.

County health officials estimate unvaccinated residents account for 95.9% of county deaths so far.

COVID-19 case rates are five times higher among unvaccinated county residents compared to fully vaccinated residents. Hospitalization rates are 16 times higher and death rates are approximately 22 times higher.

“This ordinance is now needed to save lives, protect our overburdened healthcare system and slow the pandemic enough to keep our schools open,” said Dr Chris Farnitano, the county health worker, in a statement. Community transmission of the virus now is essential to prevent future peaks of cases from overwhelming hospitals in our county during the winter months. ”

The new ordinance applies to businesses where customers remove masks to eat or drink indoors (including entertainment venues) and indoor fitness facilities, including yoga and dance studios.

The order also requires workers at these indoor sites to prove that they are fully vaccinated by November 1 or that they perform weekly tests.

Proof of vaccination includes showing a photo ID and vaccination card from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), or copies or photos of the cards. Documentation from healthcare providers is also acceptable, as are digital vaccine records issued by the State of California.

People can visit myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov for a link to their digital vaccination and can go to cchealth.org/coronavirus for more information on the county health order or where to find a vaccination site in County of Contra Costa.