On September 17, 2021, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a new public health order, which came into effect on October 7, 2021 at midnight and continues until further notice.

The Order of Health emphasizes that “[t]The best way to reduce the current level of community transmission and prevent future outbreaks is for all eligible people, including those who have recovered from COVID-19 infection, to be fully immunized as soon as possible. To promote its objective and reduce community transmission of the virus, the health decree requires:

Mega outdoor events

Mega Outdoor Event (events with large crowds of over 1,000 participants indoors or 10,000 participants outdoors): operators of events that are tickets or organized in a defined space with points of entry checked must verify full immunization status (a passport photo of the participant and vaccination card) or a pre-entry negative COVID-19 viral test of all participants aged 12 and over, before entry to the event.

Bars, breweries, vineyards and distilleries

Between October 7 and November 3, 2021, all clients must provide proof that they have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the facility in order to obtain indoor service. Subsequently, effective November 4, 2021, all bars, breweries, wineries, and distilleries must require customers 12 years of age or older to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to enter the facility in order to ‘get domestic service.

Customers who do not provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination can be served and use the exterior areas of bars, breweries, wineries and distilleries. In addition, by November 4, 2021, all on-site employees must provide their employer with proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, unless they are eligible for an exemption.

Nightclubs

Likewise, between October 7 and November 3, 2021, all customers must provide proof that they have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the facility in order to obtain indoor service at a nightclub. or a living room. Thereafter, effective November 4, 2021, all nightclubs and lounges must require guests to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to enter the facility in order to obtain indoor service.

For bars, breweries, wineries, distilleries and nightclubs, those who do not provide proof of partial or full vaccination may use the interior part of the facilities only:

• In the course of their employment to deliver or pick up, provide service or repair to the establishment, or for emergency or regulatory purposes, all while wearing a properly fitted mask;
• To access the exterior of the establishment or to use the toilets, while wearing a properly fitted mask;
• To order, withdraw or pay for take out food or drink, while wearing a properly fitted mask.

Restaurants

The new health decree strongly recommends that restaurant owners reserve and prioritize seating and indoor service for customers fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition, the Order recommends that restaurateurs check the vaccination status of all clients 12 years of age and over who will be seated indoors. Clients who cannot provide proof of full vaccination should be served in the exterior parts of the facility where the risk of exposure to the virus is less likely than indoors.

Verification of proof of vaccine

LA Public Health has provided guides on how to verify proof of COVID-19 vaccination and how to verify evidence of a negative COVID-19 test.

As it concerns verify proof of COVID-19 vaccination, the LA County Department of Public Health recommends:

• Check if the name on the vaccination record matches a photo ID, AND
• Check proof of COVID-19 vaccination for type and date of vaccination
  • If Johnson & Johnson, check single dose with date 14 days before today
  • If Pfizer or Moderna, check two doses with dates. The most recent dose being 14 days before today

As it concerns verify proof of a negative COVID-19 test, the LA County Department of Public Health recommends:

• Confirm that the person’s name and, if indicated, date of birth on the test result matches their photo ID, AND
• Documentation of the COVID-19 test result must show that:
  • The test result is negative, AND
  • The test was performed within the last 72 hours, AND
  • The type of test is antigen or PCR / NAAT COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2, AND
  • The result is from a lab or healthcare or testing provider or a patient platform for the healthcare provider (e.g. Healthvana) (Note: A COVID- self-test 19, sometimes referred to as a “home test”, is not acceptable.)

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide on the subject. Specialist advice should be sought regarding your particular situation.