The ordinance got here at a time when COVID-19 instances are plummeting as political ambitions rise in Los Angeles – two council members are working for mayor, as is the town lawyer who drafted the proposal.
Councilor and mayoral candidate Joe Buscaino voted in opposition to the mandate. Final week, throughout a council assembly, he challenged the measure as “clear as mud” when it comes to enforcement.
Buscaino had additionally indicated that the battle arose between the town’s measure and the county’s vaccination mandate, which solely consists of company and staff in indoor bars, wineries, breweries, lounges and nightclubs.
He didn’t implement a number of modifications to the measure, together with one that will make it a criminal offense to harass workers who attempt to implement it.
Councilor John Lee additionally opposed the measure, calling it “punitive to firms” requiring proof of vaccination from clients Nov. 29.
Of the county’s roughly 10 million residents, 78% have obtained not less than one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 69% are totally vaccinated, in response to public well being officers.
The county reported 31 new deaths and almost 1,500 new instances of COVID-19 on Wednesday. Well being officers mentioned the county has reported a mean of 14 deaths per day, though deaths and hospital admissions have fallen by about 50% since late August.
