LA enforces vaccine mandate for indoor businesses

Los Angeles will require showing full proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to visit any establishment, beginning Monday.

People over the age of 18 will be required to show full vaccination against the virus to visit restaurants, gyms, entertainment, recreational facilities, personal care establishments and city buildings.

The SafePassLA ordinance is one of the strictest COVID-19 mandates in the nation. It includes all individuals eligible for a COVID vaccine. SafePass LA launched on November 8, but enforcement will begin on November 29.

Businesses violating the ordinance will be issued a fine of $1,000 for a second violation, $2,000 for a third violation and $5,000 for any subsequent violations.

People can apply to be exempted from the mandate if they have a medical condition, restrictions, or due to a sincerely held religious belief. Those excepted will need to show a negative COVID-19 test to enter establishments.

Those who are not yet vaccinated can still use outdoor facilities.

Accepted forms of proof of vaccination include the following:

• A vaccination card issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or similar documentation issued by another foreign governmental agency, such as the World Health Organization.
• A photocopy of a vaccination card or a photograph stored on a phone or electronic device.
• A personal digital COVID-19 vaccine record issued by the State of California, or similar documentation issued by another state, local, or foreign governmental jurisdiction, or by a private company.
• Documentation of a COVID-19 vaccination from a healthcare provider.