West Hollywood city officials issued an executive order on Sept. 10 requiring people to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter most indoor spaces.
The mandate, issued by City Manager and Director of Emergency Services David Wilson, will ban unvaccinated people from entering both public and private “covered space[s].”
“‘Vaccine mandate’ does not mean ‘involuntary vaccination,’” the order stated. “Rather, such programs impose consequences on individuals who refuse to get vaccinated, such as not allowing access to certain places.”
Businesses affected will include indoor bars, restaurants, personal care services, and health and fitness facilities; according to the order, these covered businesses “have a higher risk of transmission because patrons are more likely to remove their face masks and are in close proximity with other patrons and the staff.”
The order said employers may grant a “reasonable accommodation” to any employee who doesn’t get vaccinated for religious beliefs or medical reasons. A reasonable accommodation “may include only working in outdoor areas, working at a social distance from coworkers or non-employees, working a modified shift, getting frequent and periodic negative COVID-19 tests, or accepting a reassignment.”
The order said a person is considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after they’ve received the recommended doses—typically two doses, or one dose with Johnson & Johnson—of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
Businesses are expected to enforce the mandate “as soon as possible, but no later than Oct. 11.” Staff at covered businesses, as well as city contractors and city facility employees, are also required to be vaccinated by Nov. 1.
Wilson didn’t respond to a request for comment by press time.
