Los Angeles is following in New York City’s footsteps by requiring proof of vaccination for individuals attending movie theaters, restaurants, gyms, salons, and other such indoor venues.
The measure was passed by the L.A. City Council on Wednesday. Establishments and residents have until Nov. 4 to prepare for the change.
Movie theaters are not expected to balk at the measure, since exhibitors are among those whose entire industry was pushed to the brink of collapse by the ongoing pandemic. Considering it is those who have refused to isolate, wear masks, and/or get vaccinated since the Covid outbreak who are responsible for its severity and prolonged nature of the crisis, nary an ounce of pity will be spared for those negatively impacted by the edict.
“In order for the exhibition industry to fully recover, we need more people to be vaccinated. It’s pure science. The rates of shots had went quite well for a while in the U.S. and then they dropped off. We need them to keep going,” National Association of Theatre Owners president John Fithian told THR in a recent interview.
The new ordinance is expected to be immediately signed by Mayor Eric Garcetti. The mayor recently stated he favors the mandate, adding “I don’t want to bury another city employee, police officer, firefighter.”
The new ordinance broadens an earlier mandate issued Sept. 17 that required customers and employees of bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs and other related venues to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. It also covered staff and participants at outdoor events of more than 10,000 people.
