By LILY TINOCO | Reporter
Los Angeles will now enforce an ordinance requiring proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 to enter indoor facilities across the city.
The ordinance comes after a motion was introduced by Council President Nury Martinez and Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, and seconded by Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Nithya Raman. The ordinance was signed Wednesday afternoon, October 6, by Mayor Eric Garcetti.
As a result, the city of LA launched SafePassLA, which requires establishments to verify patrons are vaccinated against COVID-19, including indoor portions of food establishments, gyms, entertainment and recreational locations, personal care establishments, and outdoor events within the city, as well as certain city facilities.
Enforcement began earlier this week on Monday, November 29.
Businesses that do not cooperate or violate the rules can face penalties under the ordinance, starting with a warning, eventually reaching a $5,000 penalty for a fourth and each subsequent violation.
The requirements are slated to expire when the city lifts its emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the ordinance.
Across LA County, a public health order still requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination for those who are eligible to enter indoor bars, wineries, breweries, distilleries, nightclubs and lounges. As of October 7, patrons and employees have needed to show they have had at least one vaccine dose, as well as be fully vaccinated by November 4.
Local precautions come as the county faces the possible threat of Omicron, “a new variant of concern,” according to a press release.
“Given that there continues to be substantial transmission of COVID-19 and the uncertainty about the level of vaccine efficacy against this new variant of concern, all residents and workers need to be sure to adhere to vaccination verification and masking requirements and wear a mask when indoors or at large outdoor mega events regardless of vaccination status,” Public Health said in a statement.
Public Health suggests everyone 5 years and older gets fully vaccinated or receives their booster dose as quickly as possible to reduce transmission of COVID-19. Boosters for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines became available on October 22.
Angelenos are eligible to get vaccinated at county-run vaccination sites, LA City sites, and St. John’s Well Child and Family Center sites. To find a vaccination site or make an appointment, visit vaccinateLAcounty.com.
“Clearly boosters, along with very high vaccination coverage with two doses among staff and residents, make a difference by enhancing protection,” Barbara Ferrer, director of Public Health, said in a statement. “We encourage all adults 18 and over eligible for booster doses to go ahead and get that booster dose as an important way to protect from getting infected and spreading the virus; since transmission remains substantial across the county, this additional boost makes a difference.”
As of Friday, November 25, over 14.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered to people across LA County. To date, 83.7% of Pacific Palisades and 84.9% of Palisades Highlands residents have gotten at least one shot, according to data from Public Health.
As the Palisadian-Post went to print Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 had reached 1,527,132 across the county when factoring in Long Beach and Pasadena, with 27,166 deaths.
Pacific Palisades had reached 1,233 confirmed cases and 15 deaths Tuesday, with an additional 219 in Palisades Highlands and one death.
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