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Los Angeles will require most people to provide proof of full coronavirus vaccination to enter a range of indoor businesses, including restaurants, gyms, museums, cinemas, and lounges, in the one of the strictest vaccination rules in the country.
The new law, which was approved by Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday, will allow people with health conditions that do not allow them to be vaccinated, or who have a sincere religious objection, to show proof instead. a negative coronavirus test taken within the previous 72 hours.
It will go into effect on November 4, which city officials say should give the city and businesses enough time to determine how the rule should be applied.
Some council members expressed concern that businesses would be unfairly burdened by the requirement and that city law would be inconsistent with Los Angeles County rules that apply to neighboring communities and require face masks. inside, but no proof of vaccination.
Still, city leaders said in a lengthy discussion over the measure last week that they wanted to act urgently.
“We cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good,” Council member Kevin de León said at the previous meeting.
A growing number of bars and restaurants are already checking their vaccination status themselves. And a growing body of evidence suggests that employers’ vaccination mandates have been effective in increasing vaccination rates.
In California, requirements for healthcare workers to be vaccinated have helped increase immunization rates in major healthcare systems to 90 percent or more. Large companies have said their demands have resulted in increased vaccination rates.
Implementing rules requiring people to prove their immunization status has been complex. A number of competing electronic “vaccine passports” are available, but some people need paper verification.
In August, New York City became the first city in the country to require proof that workers and customers at indoor food and beverage, fitness and entertainment sites had received at least one dose of the vaccine.
Soon after, some cities and counties in California, including San Francisco, followed suit. The addition of Los Angeles – by far the largest city in the state, with 4 million people – dramatically changes the balance.
California elected leaders – especially Gov. Gavin Newsom – have highlighted pandemic restrictions across the state to contrast with other states, where rules are more lax and cases among unvaccinated people have put a strain on hospitals. California has one of the lowest case rates in the country, and 70% of residents aged 12 and over are fully vaccinated.
Last week, Mr Newsom announced the country’s first requirement for schoolchildren to be vaccinated, starting next fall.
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