LA County will require residents to show vax status for indoor bars, nightclubs & mega-events

LA County will require customers and staff at indoor bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs, and mega-events to prove COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test, County Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer announced Wednesday.

Why it matters:

Before the bustling holiday season, the new health orders arrive over fears by health officials of a possible "twindemic" of flu and coronavirus.

• Well over 25,000 Los Angeles County residents have died from complications related to COVID-19, per the AP.

• Dr. Ferrer says the regulation will encourage vaccine confirmation, but it does not compel people to participate.

State of play: Starting on Oct. 7, both customers and employees will have to provide documentation that they at least have one dose of the vaccine and be fully vaccinated by Nov. 4.

• The latest section of the COVID health order will require all attendees, staff, and performers to present confirmation of vaccination or a negative test within a 72-hour period of a 'mega-event.'

• Mega-events are public events of at least 10,000 people or more, including sporting events, concerts, and theme parks.

• Long Beach hasn't announced a similar vaccine verification order, but the Grand Prix asks race fans to show proof of vaccination, per LBP.

What they're saying: Dr. Barbara Ferrer told the Board of Supervisors, "This is a reasonable path forward that will position us to be better able to break the cycle of surges."