The ordinance will go into effect as of November 29.
On Wednesday, Los Angeles city officials passed one of the country’s strictest vaccine regulations, requiring vaccinations for anyone entering indoor public facilities, including bars, movie theaters, restaurants, nail salons, gyms, coffee shops and sports events at major venues. After delaying a vote last week to address concerns over who would be fined for violations and issues around employee safety, the order was passed on an 11-2 vote.
Mayor Eric Garcetti signed the ordinance on the same day making it one of the strictest mandates in the country. Garcetti previously expressed support for the plan, stating: “I don’t want to bury another city employee, police officer, firefighter.”
Today, I signed an ordinance that requires people to be vaccinated to enter indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, gyms, sports arenas, nail salons, and all indoor City facilities.
The new law passed the City Council earlier today. pic.twitter.com/ZeES4xfcIv
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) October 6, 2021
Venues will be fined after the second violation at, starting $1,000 and reaching $5,000 for four or more violations, according to the city’s ordinance. Exceptions will be made for those with medical or religious reasons, in which case a negative COVID test can be provided instead.
In addition to this, a new measure will be introduced from October 7 requiring those attending outdoor “mega-events” of more than 10,000 people (which includes theme parks) to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within a 72-hour window.
Effective Oct 7, if you are attending a sports event, concert, or any outdoor mega event with 10,000+ people, you’ll be required to show proof of full vaccination or negative COVID test (taken within 72 hours). For more info, visit https://t.co/nm85vNP8js pic.twitter.com/eILPeij1JV
— LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) October 6, 2021
In the meantime, L.A. County will be eased into the new regulations from Thursday when a similar mandate goes into place for all bars, clubs, lounges and breweries (effectively, all establishments serving alcohol).
The move aims to encourage more residents to get vaccinated and limit the transmission of the Delta variant.