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LA City Council Votes To End Indoor Vaccine Mandate

A man wearing a tweed cap and a red cloth face mask stares down at a small white card he's holding in his hand. The scene is darkly lit and a giant, glowing yellow arrow pointing to a doorway behind him.
Kindrick Brooke checks a vaccination card outside Risky Business which was once The Other Door in North Hollywood but closed during the COVID-19 pandemic on May 21, 2021.
(
Patrick T. Fallon
/
AFP via Getty Images
)

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The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to drop the city’s indoor vaccine mandate.

The ordinance now heads to Mayor Eric Garcetti’s desk for his consideration. It will take effect as soon as the mayor signs the ordinance and it's posted by the City Clerk’s office.

Since Nov. 8, the city has required everyone aged 12 and up to show proof they are vaccinated to be indoors at restaurants, bars, gyms, and other businesses. The law remained in place as the omicron surge infected and hospitalized thousands of Angelenos before beginning to recede in February.

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The law also required people to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to attend outdoor mega events of 5,000 or more people.

Thirteen council members voted to roll it back, with just Mike Bonin voting no.

Individual businesses can still ask customers for proof of vaccination, if they choose.

Indoor events with 1,000 people or more still require proof of vaccination or a negative test, though state and county health officials are expected to drop the requirement on April 1.

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