Isai RochaThe Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed legislation Wednesday that would require proof of vaccination to enter public indoor spaces.
The vote means the L.A. City Attorney and Chief Legislative Analyst will now have to draft an ordinance with compliance measures and present it to the council for review.
The legislation would require Angelenos to show proof of receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before entering indoor spaces such as restaurants, bars, retail stores, gyms, spas, arenas, concert venues, and movie theaters.
“It’s our responsibility to protect the public, that includes protecting them from the unvaccinated,” Council President Martinez said Wednesday. “The decision to not get vaccinated doesn’t just affect you. We have kids under the age of 12 who are not eligible for the vaccine yet, and someone’s decision to not get vaccinated affects them as well.”
The motion was originally presented by Council President Nury Martinez and Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell on August 4. It was then seconded by council members Nithya Raman and Marqueece Harris-Dawson.
“Instead of fighting science, we should be fighting the virus,” said Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell. “The data is clear: vaccines are safe and effective. We have endured 18 months of mass illness and death, with the latest variant wreaking havoc across the globe. Free vaccinations are widely available for all who are eligible. This is a necessary and sensible step that will broadly protect the health and safety of Angelenos. It could very well ward off another economic shutdown, which would be devastating to our city and our nation.”
