When it was announced last week that Los Angeles County will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination at bars, nightclubs, breweries, lounges, and related businesses, the telephone at Border X Brewing in Bell, California began ringing off the hook.
“I'm assuming the reason customers were calling is because they don't have the vaccine and, unfortunately, a lot of people, especially younger people, don't feel like they need it,” said David Favela, CEO of Border X Brewing.
As of Sept. 24, 23.6 million Californians or 69.85% have been fully vaccinated statewide and 2.7 million or 8.2% have been partially vaccinated, according to the state's vaccination dashboard. In Los Angeles County alone, 12.5 million vaccine doses have been administered.
Patrons of bars, nightclubs, breweries, lounges, and large outdoor events will be required to present proof of at least one vaccine dose starting Oct. 7 and by Nov. 4 they will be required to show proof of full vaccination, according to media reports.
For Border X Brewing, Favela says enforcing the ordinance carries a financial burden.
“Everyone knows what a driver’s license or passport looks like but no one is familiar with what is an acceptable form of vaccination card so we will have to hold training sessions,” he said.
Favela foresees the health department employing undercover workers to ensure compliance with the mandate.
“We’re exasperated, fatigued, and tired because it’s just another thing we can get in trouble for when taprooms are already a highly regulated industry,” he said. “We have the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). We have the local police and now we have the health department, which traditionally has never had any jurisdiction over taprooms. Now we have them as well doing their own undercover operations I assume because I don't see how they're going to ensure compliance otherwise.”
LA County’s vaccine mandate only applies to bars, nightclubs, breweries, lounges, and large outdoor sporting events, which irks Favela.
“The real disappointment is that it’s very arbitrary,” he said. “Apparently, restaurants are not required to request proof of vaccination and we just think that's absolute garbage.”
Last month, San Francisco announced a similar vaccine passport requirement.
“I'm working with the Los Angeles Brewers Guild,” Favela told the Southern California Record. “They have very qualified people who interface with the health department to help interpret and make operational the guidelines they issue.”