First major US city announces it will mandate proof of full vaccinations for certain indoor activities
The new mandate is scheduled to go into effect August 20.
“We know that for our city to bounce back from the pandemic and thrive, we need to use the best method we have to fight COVID-19 and that’s vaccines,” Breed said in a statement. “Many San Francisco businesses are already leading the way by requiring proof of vaccination for their customers because they care about the health of their employees, their customers, and this City.”
Business owners were supportive of the city’s latest mandate.
“These increased provisions hopefully will expedite all public gathering places ability get back to doing what we all love — being a space for community in service to all San Franciscans,” said Casey Lowdermilk, co-founder of the San Francisco Venue Coalition, an organization looking to keep businesses safely open during the pandemic.
“In this phase of the pandemic, we must optimize the powerful tool of vaccines to protect us as we fully reopen to business,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, San Francisco’s director of health. “These past few weeks have demonstrated how important it is that everyone eligible is vaccinated as we resume normal activities.”
The San Francisco health order also beefs up a state order mandating vaccines for health care workers by extending the directive to pharmacists, dental offices, home health aides and residential care centers.
