Following in the footsteps of New York City’s recent vaccination mandate for certain indoor activities, both the County and the City of Los Angeles put their own vaccination mandates into motion this past week. The proposed vaccination mandates have considerable support in the County and City legislative bodies and are expected to be approved in the near future.
On August 4th, Los Angeles City Council president Nury Martinez introduced a motion that would require at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter public indoor spaces, including but not limited to, restaurants, bars, retail establishments, fitness centers, spas, and entertainment centers such as stadiums, concert venues, and movie theaters. The proposal advanced to the next step on August 11th, when the City Council unanimously voted to direct city attorneys to draft the vaccination mandate law. Once the proposed law is drafted, it will go back to the City Council for final approval.
At the same time, the County of Los Angeles also took a step towards a vaccination mandate when the Board of Supervisors instructed its staff to report back on the feasibility of requiring proof of vaccination to enter indoor spaces within the County. The scope of the potential vaccination mandate is still unknown.
Since the rise of the COVID-19 Delta variant, vaccination mandates are becoming increasingly common. As California and specifically Los Angeles have been among the most aggressive in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic, employers should expect vaccination mandates in the near future. In anticipation of these mandates, Los Angeles employers should be prepared to require vaccination among both their employees and customers if they serve the public indoors.
We will continue to monitor major COVID-19 related developments that impact the workplace. If you have any questions about the matters discussed in this issue of Compliance Matters, please call your firm contact at 818-508-3700 or visit us online at www.brgslaw.com.
Sincerely,
Richard S. Rosenberg
Katherine A. Hren
Charles H.W. Foster
Ballard Rosenberg Golper & Savitt, LLP
